The fatty acid composition of some tubers grown in Nigeria

The fat content of some common tubers grown in Nigeria was determined and the distribution of fatty acids in them was measured by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). The fat content was low (<1·2%) in all species but the peel contained more fat than the pulp. Oleic acid (35–68%) and palmitic acid (21–39%) were the principal fatty acids, but arichidic acid was present in small amounts (<3%) in all samples. The other fatty acids were present only in minor quantities, except for the higher levels in the peel.