Preparation of conjugated linoleic acid from safflower oil

Synthetically prepared mixtures of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) are widel y used in animal and cell culture studies to investigate the potential effe cts of the Delta 9c, 11t-18:2 isomer found in food products from ruminant a nimals. Alkali isomerization of linoleic acid is a common method used in th e synthesis of a mixture of CLA isomers containing predominantly the Delta 9c,11t-18:2 and Delta 10t,12c-18:2 isomers. Some biological activity might also be mediated by the Delta 10t,12c-18:2 isomer. Currently few published methodologies exist describing procedures for the enrichment of these two i somers. A method is described herein to take advantage of an inexpensive oi l, safflower oil, for use in synthesis of CLA and a procedure to enrich the Delta 10t, 12c-18:2 isomer.