Fatty acid variation in seed oil amongOcimum species

Content, fatty acid composition, and glyceride profile of oil from seeds of seven basil (Ocimum sp.) chemotypes were determined. The species studied includedO. basilicum, O. canum, O. gratissimum, andO. sanctum. The oil content ranged from 18 to 26%, with triglycerides comprising between 94 and 98% of extracted neutral lipids. The major acylated fatty acids were linolenic (43.8–64.8%), linoleic (17.8–31.3%), oleic (8.5–13.3%), and palmitic acid (6.1–11.0%). Linolenic acid was similar among the fourO. basilicum chemotypes (57–62%), highest inO. canum (65%), and lowest inO. sanctum (44%). Basil seed oil appears suitable as an edible oil or can be used for industrial purposes, and could be processed in the same way as linseed oil. Preliminary calculations estimate that a hectare of basil could produce from 300 to 400 kg of seed oil.     

Fatty Acid Composition and Oil Yield in Fruits of Five <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arecaceae</Emphasis> Species Grown in Cuba

The present study targeted the whole-fruit oil yield and fatty acid composition from five of the most abundant Arecaceae species grown in Cuba. The oil yields (% dry weight), determined by the Soxhlet extraction technique with hexane, were 25.5, 5.3, 6.9, 5.4, and 6.4% for Roystonea regia, Colpothrinax wrightii, Sabal maritima, Sabal palmetto and Thrinax radiata, respectively. The free fatty acid (FFA) content varied from 2.7 to 6.8%. Fatty acid (FA) profiles of the oils indicated that lauric acid (13.7–44.4%), myristic acid (9.4–22.4%) and palmitic acid (9.2–17.1%) as major saturated FA; whereas oleic acid (9.6–42.7%) and linoleic acid (9.3–17.0%) as major unsaturated FA. R. regia fruit seemed the most promising among Arecaceae grown in Cuba because of its high oil yield and low oil FFA content.     

Fatty acid composition of seed oil triglycerides inCoincya (Brassicaceae)

Oil and triglyceride contents and fatty acid composition were determined for seeds in nine taxa belonging to the genusCoincya (Brassicaceae) on the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). The oil content ranges from 11.1 to 24.6%, triglycerides from 68.7 to 88.5%. The major fatty acids were erucic (24.6–30.5%), linolenic (17.7–27.7%), linoleic (13.9–24.6%) and oleic acid (12.3–21.8%).     

Variation in fatty acid composition of the different acyl lipids in seed oils from fourSesamum species

Seeds from different collections of cultivatedSesamum indicum Linn. and three related wild species [specifically,S. alatum Thonn.,S. radiatum Schum and Thonn. andS. angustifolium (Oliv.) Engl.] were studied for their oil content and fatty acid composition of the total lipids. The wild seeds contained less oil (ca. 30%) than the cultivated seeds (ca. 50%). Lipids from all four species were comparable in their total fatty acid composition, with palmitic (8.2–12.7%), stearic (5.6–9.1%), oleic (33.4–46.9%) and linoleic acid (33.2–48.4%) as the major acids. The total lipids from selected samples were fractionated by thin-layer chromatography into five fractions: triacylglycerols (TAG; 80.3–88.9%), diacylglycerols (DAG; 6.5–10.4%), free fatty acids (FFA; 1.2–5.1%), polar lipids (PL; 2.3–3.5%) and steryl esters (SE; 0.3–0.6%). Compared to the TAG, the four other fractions (viz, DAG, FFA, PL and SE) were generally characterized by higher percentages of saturated acids, notably palmitic and stearic acids, and lower percentages of linoleic and oleic acids in all species. Slightly higher percentages of long-chain fatty acids (20∶0, 20∶1, 22∶0 and 24∶0) were observed for lipid classes other than TAG in all four species. Based on the fatty acid composition of the total lipids and of the different acyl lipid classes, it seems thatS. radiatum andS. angustifolium are more related to each other than they are to the other two species.     

Fatty acid composition of seed oils from sixAdansonia species with particular reference to cyclopropane and cyclopropene acids

The oil content of sixAdansonia species (Bombacaceae family) of Madagascar (Adansonia grandidieri, A. za, A. digitata, A. fony, A. madagascariensis andA. suarenzensis) and Africa (A. digitata) ranges from 8 to 46%. All the oils give a positive response to the Halphen test. Malvalic, sterculic and dihydrosterculic acids were detected using gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS). Epoxy or hydroxy fatty acids were not found in these oils. Fatty acid composition was determined by GLC using glass capillary columns coated with BDS and Carbowax 20 M. Results obtained for cyclopropenic fatty acids (CPEFA) were compared to those given by glass capillary GLC after derivatization with silver nitrate in methanol, by hydrogen bromide titration and by proton magnetic resonance (PMR). Good agreement was observed for the results given by the various methods. Malvalic acid content ranges from 3 to 28%, sterculic acid from 1 to 8% and dihydrosterculic acid from 1.5 to 5.1%. Odd-numbered fatty acids (Pentadecanoic and hepatadecanoic) were also observed in minute amounts (0.1–1.1%). Among the normal fatty acids, we observed mainly palmitic (21–46%), oleic (15–40%) and linoleic (12–32%). The relationship between fatty acid composition andAdansonia species is discussed.     

Investigating Some Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid Composition of Native Black Mulberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Morus nigra</Emphasis> L.) Seed Oil

The physicochemical properties of seed and seed oil obtained from the native black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) were investigated in 2008 and 2009. The results showed that the seed consisted of 27.5–33% crude oil, 20.2–22.5% crude protein, 3.5–6% ash, 42.4–46.6% carbohydrate and 112.2–152.0 mg total phenolics/100 g. Twenty different fatty acids were determined, with the percentages varying from 0.02% myristic acid (C14:0) to 78.7% linoleic acid (C18:2). According to the GC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters, linoleic acid (C18:2), followed by palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1) and stearic acid (C18:0) were the major fatty acids, which together comprised approximately 97% of the total identified fatty acids. High C18:2 content (average 73.7%) proved that the black mulberry seed oil is a good source of the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid. Linolenic acid (C18:3) was also found in a relatively lower amount (0.3–0.5%). The α-tocopherol content was found to be between 0.17 and 0.20 mg in 100 g seed oil. The main sterols in the mulberry seed oil were β-sitosterol, Δ5-avenasterol, Δ5, 23-stigmastadienol, clerosterol, sitosterol and Δ5, 24-stigmastadienol. The present study stated that the native black mulberry seed oil can be used as a nutritional dietary substance and has great usage potential.     

Characterization of Turkish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> L. Taxa Based on Fatty Acid Compositions of the Acorns

Total oil content and the composition of fatty acids were analyzed in the acorns of 16 Quercus taxa from Turkey. The range of total fat varied between 0.7 and 7.4%. Oleic (10.2–54.4%), linoleic (24.2–49.1%), palmitic (13.4–30.4%), alpha linolenic (1.5–8.6%) and stearic acid (1.5–4.5%) were major fatty acids for all taxa. Significantly differences at section level were found (p < 0.05) for palmitic, stearic and oleic acid concentration. Saturated (17.0–38.6%), mono unsaturated (11.0–55.5%) and unsaturated fatty acids (57.4–81.6%) in total oil were also significantly different between section Quercus, Cerris and Ilex (p < 0.05). In addition, sectional differences were significant (p < 0.02) for the relative concentrations of saturated fatty acids compared to mono, poly and total unsaturated fatty acids. Considerable variation of individual fatty acid levels were observed in related species and varieties. The species from section Ilex Loudon exhibited the highest levels of saturated fatty acid while the lowest levels were found in Q. brantii, Q. libani and Q. trojana from section Cerris Loudon. These species also had the highest levels of unsaturated fatty acids. Whereas the lowest values were detected in the species of section Ilex. Both varieties of Q. cerris showed significant differences (p < 0.05) from the other species in section Cerris for all parameters, except for stearic acid and exhibited little variations among their individual populations. Different concentrations of fatty acids may be useful biochemical markers for the characterization of Quercus at the infrageneric level. Interesting ratios of linoleic:α-linolenic acid especially in Q. robur ssp. robur, Q. hartwissiana, Q. vulcanica, Q. ithaburensis ssp. macrolepis and Q. libani also were detected with respect to dietary reference for fatty acid intake.     

Monitoring of Fat Content,Free Fatty Acid and Fatty Acid Profile Including <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> Fat in Pakistani Biscuits

The fat contents of 12 brands of biscuits were extracted and evaluated for free fatty acids (FFA) and their fatty acid composition (FAC). The oil content and FFA varied from 13.7 to 27.6% and 0.2 to 1.0%, respectively. The FAC was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy with particular emphasis on trans fatty acids (TFA). Total saturated, unsaturated, cis-monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were determined in the range of 37.9–46.9, 53.0–62.0, 12.3–43.7 and 0.1–9.2%, respectively. The high amount of TFA was observed in all biscuit samples and varied from 9.3 to 34.9%. The quantity and quality of the lipid fraction of the biscuits indicated that the all analyzed biscuits are a rich source of fat, saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids, consequently not suitable for the health of consumers. The high content of trans fatty acids and palmitic acid also indicated that blends of RBD palm oil and partially hydrogenated oil had been used in the biscuit manufacturing.     

Nutritional Value of Seven Freshwater Fish Species From the Brazilian Pantanal

This study determined the proximate composition and fatty acid profile of the lipid fraction in muscle tissue (fillet) of seven fish species from the Miranda River, Brazil. Total lipid content had the largest coefficient of variation among species (73%), while protein content had the smallest (4.5%), allowing Pimelodus argenteus (mandi-prateado) to be categorized as lean fish; Pimelodus maculatus (mandi-amarelo), Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (jurupoca), and Pinirampus pirinampu (barbado) as species with medium fat content, and Paulicea luetkeni (jaú) and Surubim lima (jurupensém) as fatty fish. In all the species investigated, palmitic acid (23.76–25.99%) was the predominant saturated fatty acid. Oleic acid (16.09–32.90%) was the most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid. Total omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (5.99–15.56%) were the predominant polyunsaturated fatty acids, except in Ageneiosus brevifilis (palmito), in which total omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids predominated (10.30%). All the species had favorable indices of nutritional quality for total lipids, with respect to human consumption.     

Variation in Fatty Acid Composition in Indian Germplasm of Sesame

A germplasm collection of 33 entries comprising 22 sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars, 4 landraces of S. mulayanum and 7 other accessions of 4 wild species were analyzed for the fatty acid compositions of their seed oil. The entries varied widely in their fatty acid compositions. The percentage content of oleic, linoleic, palmitic and erucic acids ranged between 36.7–52.4, 30.4–51.6, 9.1–14.8 and 0.0–8.0, respectively. Linolenic and arachidonic acids were the minor constituents but varied widely in wild species. Oleic and linoleic were the major fatty acids with mean values of 45.9 and 40.5%, respectively and the mean of their combined values was 86.4%. The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) compositions ranged from 30.9 to 52.5% showing high variation in PUFA in the germplasm. Linoleic acid content was very high in one landrace (47.8) and one accession each of three wild species, S. mulayanum (49.3), S. malabaricum (48.2) and S. radiatum (51.6%). Use of fatty acid ratios to estimate the efficiency of biosynthetic pathways resulted in high oleic and low linoleic desaturation ratios and consequently high linoleic and very low linolenic acid contents in seed oil. The results of this study provided useful background information on the germplasm and also identified a few accessions having high linoleic acid which can be used for developing cultivars with desirable fatty acid compositions.     

Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Citrus Seeds and Seed Oils from Pakistan

The physico-chemical characteristics of the seeds and seed oils of four citrus species, Mitha (Citrus limetta), Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), Mussami (Citrus sinensis), and Kinnow (Citrus reticulata) were investigated. The hexane-extracted oil content of citrus seeds ranged from 27.0 to 36.5%. The protein, fiber and ash contents were found to be 3.9–9.6%, 5.0–8.5%, and 4.6–5.6%, respectively. The extracted oils exhibited an iodine value of 99.9–110.0; refractive index (40 °C), 1.4639–1.4670; density (24 °C), 0.920–0.941 mg/mL; saponification value, 180.9–198.9; unsaponifiable matter, 0.3–0.5%; acid value (mg KOH/g of oil), 0.5–2.2 and color (1-in. cell) 1.4–3.0R + 15.0–30.0Y. The oils revealed a good oxidative stability as indicated by the determinations of specific extinctions at 232 and 270 nm (2.3–4.4 and 0.6–0.9, respectively), p-anisidine value (2.2–3.2) and peroxide value (1.6–2.4 mequiv/kg of oil). The citrus seed oils mainly consisted of linoleic acid (36.1–39.8%). Other prominent fatty acids were palmitic acid (25.8–32.2%), oleic acid (21.9–24.1%), linolenic acid (3.4–4.4%), and stearic acid (2.8–4.4%). The contents of tocopherols (α, γ, and δ) in the oil were 26.4–557.8, 27.7–84.1, and 9.1–20.0 mg/kg, respectively. The results of the present study demonstrated that the seeds of citrus species investigated are a potential source of valuable oil which might be utilized for edible and other industrial applications.     

Characterization and Compositional Studies of Oil from Seeds of Desi Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Cultivars Grown in Pakistan

The physiochemical properties and fatty acid (FA) composition of oil from seeds of four desi chickpea cultivars, grown in Pakistan, were investigated. The oil content was relatively low (5.88–6.87%). The physiochemical parameters determined included refractive indices (RI) at 40 °C (1.48–1.49), relative density (0.95–0.96), iodine value (IV) (111.87–113.69), acid value (AV) (2.55–2.73 mg KOH/g), saponification value (SV) (183.98–185.64 mg KOH/g), unsaponifiable matter (UM) (2.99–3.71%), peroxide value (PV) (3.97–6.37 mequiv/Kg), p-anisidine value (p-AV) (5.39–8.74), and oxidation value (OV) (13.67–22.34). Linoleic acid and oleic acid were the dominant FAs. Results from most of the parameters revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences among the cultivars. The findings reveal Desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), indigenous to Pakistan, to be a potentially valuable legume crop with comparable nutritional quality oil.     

γ-Linolenic and stearidonic acids in Mongolian Boraginaceae

Seeds of nine Central Asian species of Boraginaceae were investigated for the first time for their oil content and for the fatty acid composition of their seed oils by capillary gas chromatography. Levels of γ-linolenic acid ranged from 6.6 to 13.0% and levels of stearidonic acid ranged from 2.4 to 21.4% of total seed fatty acids. The seed oil ofHackelia deflexa exhibited the highest stearidonic acid content (21.4%) that has been found so far in nature. Other high contents of this fatty acid were in threeLappula species (17.2 to 18.1%). Seed oils ofCynoglossum divaricatum andAmblynotus rupestris contain considerable amounts ofcis-11-eicosenoic (5.3 to 5.8%) andcis-13-docosenoic acid (7.0 to 9.7%) besides γ-linolenic (10.2 to 13.0%) and stearidonic acid (2.4 to 6.5%), which distinguish these oils from those of other Boraginaceae genera. This paper was presented as a poster at 10th Minisymposium and Workshop on Plant Lipids, Sept. 3–6, 1995, in Berne, Switzerland.     

Chemical Compositions of Oils from Several Wild Almond Species

Chemical compositions of oils extracted from three wild almond species [Amygdalus scoparia from Beyza, Iran (AZ); A. scoparia from Borazjan, Iran (AJ), and A. hausknechtii from the Firuzabad region, (AH)] and a domestic species, A. dulcis from Estahban, Iran (AD), as a reference, were investigated. Total oil content ranged from 44.4% in AJ to 51.4% in AD. Saponification numbers were in the range of 173.5 (for AJ) to 192.9 for AD. Oxidative stability, total phenolic contents and total wax contents were found to be within the ranges 11.7–14.0 h, 33.9–43.2 and 2.05–2.53%, respectively. The main monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) was oleic acid ranging from 66.7% for AH to 69.7% for AZ. The only polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) was linoleic acid ranging from 18.2% for AZ to 23.0% for AD. The major saturated fatty acid was palmitic acid. MUFA contents and MUFA to PUFA ratio in the oils from wild almond species as well as those in the domestic one were found at higher levels than those in the common vegetable oils such as soybean, various nut oils, and also those from the seeds of pomegranate, grape, date and sesame. Oils from wild almond species investigated here are rich in oleic acid and can be considered as potential vegetable oils in the human diet.     

Oil Content and Fatty Acid Profile of Spanish Cultivars During Olive Fruit Ripening

The oils produced from five olive cultivars (i.e. arbequina, gordal, manzanilla, picual and picudo) and the evolution of fatty acid profile during olive fruit ripening were studied. The total oil content increased throughout ripening for Picudo cultivars; however, all other cultivars reached maximum oil contents between ripeness stage 2 and 4. The content of trans (0.3–5.8%), saturated (8.3–21.4%), monounsaturated (41.9–84.1%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (2.3–49.7%) varied with the ripeness state and cultivar. Different trends of the different parameters were found as a function of the ripeness state and the cultivar. Statistical analysis reveal that manzanilla drupes, at the different ripeness states, are clearly different from the rest of the cultivars. In addition, there were no significant differences in the fatty acid profile of the oils obtained from drupes at ripeness states between 2 and 4.     

Acylglycerols Containing Trihydroxy Fatty Acids in Castor Oil and the Regiospecific Quantification of Triacylglycerols

Ricinoleate, a monohydroxy fatty acid in castor oil, has many industrial uses. Dihydroxy and trihydroxy fatty acids can also be used in industry. We report here the identification of diacylglycerols (DAG) and triacylglycerols (TAG) containing trihydroxy fatty acids in castor oil. The C₁₈ HPLC fractions of castor oil were used for mass spectrometry of the lithium adducts of acylglycerols to identify trihydroxy fatty acids and the acylglycerols containing trihydroxy fatty acids. Two DAG identified were triOH18:1–diOH18:1 and triOH18:0–OH18:1. Four TAG identified were triOH18:1–OH18:1–OH18:1, triOH18:0–OH18:1–OH18:1, triOH18:1–OH18:1–diOH18:1 and triOH18:0–OH18:1–diOH18:1. The structures of these two newly identified trihydroxy fatty acids were proposed as 11,12,13-trihydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid and 11,12,13-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid. The locations of these trihydroxy fatty acids on the glycerol backbone were almost 100% at the sn-1,3 positions or at trace levels at the sn-2 position. The content of these acylglycerols containing trihydroxy fatty acids was at the level of about 1% or less in castor oil.     

Prevention of cholesterol cholelithiasis by dietary unsaturated fats in hormone-treated female hamsters

We examined the effect of diet on gallstone incidence and the composition of biliary phosphatidylcholines in methyltestosterone-treated female hamsters. These hamsters were fed a nutritionally adequate purified lithogenic diet containing 2% corn oil, 4% butterfat, 0.3% cholesterol, and 0.05% methyltestosterone, resulting in a cholesterol gallstone incidence of 86%. This incidence was lowered when mono-and polyunsaturated fats or fatty acids were added to the diet: 2.5% oleic acid resulted in total prevention of cholesterol cholelithiasis, 2.5% linoleic acid, and 4% safflower oil (78% linoleic acid content) reduced gallstone incidence to 26 and 8%, respectively. An additional 4% butterfat (29% oleic acid content) produced gallstones in 50% of the animals. At the end of the 6-wk feeding period, the bile of all hamsters was supersaturated with cholesterol. The major biliary phosphatidylcholine species in all groups were (sn-1-sn-2): 16:0–18:2, 16:0–18:1, 18:0–18:2, 16:0–20:4, and 18:2–18:2. The safflower oil-and linoleic acidfed hamsters exhibited an enrichment of 16:0–18:2 (16–18%); added butterfat or oleic acid increased the proportion of 16:0–18:1 (9 and 25%, respectively). We conclude that the phosphatidylcholine molecular species in female hamster bile can be altered by dietary fats/fatty acids and that mono-and polyunsaturated fatty acids play a role in suppressing the induced cholelithiasis.     

Fatty acid composition of oil from adapted,elite corn breeding materials

The fatty acid composition of corn oil can be altered to meet consumer demands for “healthful” fats (i.e., lower saturates and higher monounsaturates). To this end, a survey of 418 corn hybrids and 98 corn inbreds grown in Iowa was done to determine the fatty acid composition of readily-available, adapted, elite corn breeding materials. These materials are those used in commercial hybrid production. Eighty-seven hybrids grown in France (18 of which also were grown in lowa) were analyzed to determine environmental influence on fatty acid content. The parents of the hybrids and the inbreds were classified in one of four heterotic groups: Lancaster, Stiff Stalk, non-Lancaster/non-Stiff Stalk, and Other.t-Tests and correlation analyses were performed with statistical significance accepted at a level ofP≤0.05. The findings showed a wide range of fatty acid profiles present in adapted, elite corn breeding materials with ranges for each fatty acid as follows: palmitic acid, 6.7–16.5%; palmitoleic acid, 0.0–1.2%; stearic acid, 0.7–6.6%; oleic acid, 16.2–43.8%; linoleic acid, 39.5–69.5%; linolenic acid, 0.0–3.1%; and arachidic acid, 0.0–1.0%. Small amounts of myristic acid, margaric acid, and gadoleic acid also were found. Three lines had total saturates of 9.1% or less. Thirty-six of thet-tests involving hybrids showed significant differences among heterotic groups. There were small but significant correlations among protein, starch and oil content and the amounts of several fatty acids. Results from the corn grown in France vs. lowa demonstrated a large environmental effect that overwhelmed the genetic differences among lines. This study shows that for some attributes, a breeding program involving adapted corn breeding materials might produce the desired oil. Other types of oil (such as high-oleic) would have to be produced in a different manner, for example, by a breeding program with exotic breeding materials.     

Fatty acid composition and its relationship with physicochemical properties of pecan (Carya illinoensis) oil

The composition and physicochemical properties of pecan (Carya illinoensis) kernels and oils from different native trees of the central region of Mexico were investigated. The main compositional characteristic of the kernel was the high lipid content (70–79% w/w on dry basis) with elevated concentration of oleic acid (55–75% w/w). The results confirmed the relationship in the biosynthesis of linoleic and linolenic acids from oleic acid existing in oilseeds. Our results indicate that in pecans such relationship is a function of pecan tree age. The proportion of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic fatty acids determined the oxidative stability, viscosity, and melting/crystallization behavior of pecan oil. In general, these properties in pecan oils were similar or superior to extra-virgin olive oil and unrefined sesame oil. Although all native pecan oils studied showed a significant concentration of oleic acid, a particular group of native Mexican pecan trees produces an oil with a fatty acid composition with the nutritional appeal that consumers demand nowadays (i.e., very high oleic acid, 60–75%), with excellent natural oxidative stability (i.e., induction time for oxidation between 8.5 and 10.8 h), and substantially higher concentrations of α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol than in pecan varieties previously reported in the literature.     

Oil content and fatty acid composition of commercially important Turkish fish species

The oil content and fatty acid composition of commercially important Turkish fish species (anchovy,Engraulis encrasicholus; freshwater rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri; and cultured salmon,S. salar) were determined. Palmitic (16∶0), palmitoleic (16∶1), oleic (18∶1), and docosahexaenoic (22∶6) acids were the most abundant fatty acids in all species. Eicosapentaenoic acid (20∶5) was twice as high in the anchovy oil as in the rainbow trout and salmon oils. Significant quantities of linoleic acid (18∶2) and docosahexaenoic acids (22∶6) were found in both rainbow trout and salmon samples. The individual fatty acid data obtained from rainbow trout and salmon were similar to each other. All three fish species contain high levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and would be suitable for inclusion in the formulation of low-fat highly unsaturated diets.