The evaluation of oil and fatty acid composition in seed of cotton accessions from various countries

Cottonseed oil has a 2:1 ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, but in large amounts it contributes to a short shelf‐life due to rancidity. The aim of this study was to screen germplasm from various countries for oil and fatty acid content, to identify parents that can be used in hybridisation to increase stearic and oleic acids and reduce palmitic fatty acids. Oil content varied from 13.6% to 24.7%. Linoleic acid ranged from 51.5% to 63%, palmitic from 19.2% to 25.6%, oleic from 14.2% to 18.5% and stearic from 2.1% to 2.8%. Stearic and palmitic acids were positively correlated, and stearic and linoleic acids were negatively correlated; therefore breeding for increased stearic acid and reduced palmitic acid as well as breeding for increased stearic and linoleic acids at the same time might be difficult through conventional breeding. CIM70 and Cyto 12/74 had high values for stearic and oleic acids and Stoneville had high values of stearic and oleic acids and low palmitic acid. These can be used as parents to improve these two fractions. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry