Comparison of fatty acid content of imported peanuts

Variability in fatty acid compositions of peanuts imported from six different countries into the United States were studied to determine their effect on processing and storage conditions. The oil content ranged from 44.1 to 50.4%. Major fatty acids, palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:l), and linoleic acid (C18:2) ranged from 8.6 to 12.7, 35.9 to 61.1 and 21.7 to 44.2%, respectively. Oleic and lino-leic acids together comprised ca. 78.0–83.0% of the total fatty acids. Highly significant differences (P<.01) in fatty acid compositions were obtained between samples and between locations (countries of origin). Indicators of stability of the peanut samples as measured by the oleic/linoleic acid ratio (O/L) and iodine value (IV) of the extracted peanut oils showed variable but significant differences (P <.05) between locations. Generally, higher O/L ratios corresponding to lower IV indicate better stability and longer shelf-life of the samples.