Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Seeds of Guizotia Cass (Compositae)

Seeds of Guizotia abyssinica and wild Guizotia were analysed for oil content and fatty acid composition by multisequential and gas chromatographic methods, respectively. The oil content of G abyssinica ranged from 416 to 436 g kg^-1 (weight per kg dry matter of seeds) and that of the wild Guizotia taxa from 214 to 328 g kg^-1. Two unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic (54·3–72·8, weight percent of total oil) and oleic (5·4–26·8% of oil by wt) and two saturated fatty acids (palmitic (7·8–10%) and stearic (5·5–8·1%)) were about 91–97% of the fatty acids present. Palmitoleic, linolenic, arachidic, eicosenoic, behenic, erucic and lignoceric acids constituted about 2–3%. An unidentified fatty acid, probably an epoxy form of C: 20 or C: 22, has been found in all the materials and it was 1·1–6·6%. Total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were about 74–84% and 15–20%, respectively. Differentiation in fatty acid composition between the taxa is too small to be of taxonomic use. It is inferred that when gene transfer is desired hybridisation between the wild and cultivated taxa may not affect the oil quality of the latter and the oils of the wild taxa are possibly safe for human consumption. © 1997 SCI.     

SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF OIL IN DEVELOPING COCONUT

ABSTRACT

Studies on seasonal variation in oil and fatty acid profile of developing solid endosperm of two cultivars, West Coast Tall (WCT) and Chowghat Orange Dwarf (COD), and their hybrids indicated that oil percentage increased from 30% in 6‐month‐old nuts to 63% in matured nuts (12 months old). Nuts sampled during July from different levels of maturity had high oil percentage and followed by those sampled during April, October and January. During nut development to maturity, the percentages and contents of medium and long chain saturated fatty acids increased except that of palmitic and myristic acids. Concentration of long chain unsaturated fatty acids (LCUFAs) in developing coconut kernel were high at 5 and 6 months after fertilization and then decreased toward maturity. The LCUFAs were high in nuts developing during October; consequently, saturated to unsaturated fatty acid ratios were low during October. Results indicated that nuts matured during October had better nutritional quality for human consumption and those matured during January are more suitable for industrial purpose due to higher medium chain fatty acid concentrations.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Coconut is consumed either as the tender nut (5–6 months after fertilization) or as the kernel from mature nut (12 months after fertilization). Recent technologies of making snowball tender nut use the nuts aged 7–8 months old. Kernel also is consumed in this product. Apart from this, the coconut is being increasingly used for making different kernel‐based value‐added products. This information is useful, as the value‐added products are being developed using different maturities of coconut. Hence, it is of paramount importance that the fatty acid profile of coconut kernel is known in detail for assessing the safety of food consumption from the human health point of view. Apart from this, information on the seasonal variation in fatty acid profile of developing endosperm gives an integrated knowledge so as to optimize the usage of coconut kernel for both human consumption and industrial exploitation.

     

CHANGE OF FAT CONTENT AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF TURKISH HAZELNUTS (CORYLUS AVELLANA L.) DURING STORAGE

Hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) were collected from three different cultivars (Tombul, Palaz and Kal?nkara) at the harvest season of 1996. The dried nuts were stored shelled and unshelled in polyethylene bags at 21C and 60–65% relative humidity for 12 months. During storage, the total fat content increased, the palmitic and oleic acid content of the oil increased, linoleic acid, ranged from 12.41 to 10.35%. No significant differences were found for other fatty acids during storage. The effect of storage of shelled and unshelled hazelnuts on the total fat content was significant.     

Oil Content and Fatty Acids Composition in Brassica Species

Seeds of 20 accessions of six Brassica species including cultivated and five wild relatives were analyzed for oil and fatty acid composition. The results showed that oil content varied from 21 (B. nigra) to 46% (B. napus). Among wild species, B. rapa and B. oleracea had highest oil content (31 and 28%, respectively). The main fatty acids of oleic, linoleic, linolenic, erucic, palmitic, and stearic acids accounted for 89–94% of the total fatty acids in all species. Cultivated species of B. napus had highest oleic acid (61%) and lowest erucic acid (1%) content compared to other studied species. Brassica rapa and B. oleracea had the highest content of erucic acid (41 and 46%, respectively). The highest content of linolenic (20%) and linoleic (19%) acid was observed for B. juncea. The results showed that there was high genetic variation among the studied species for oil content and fatty acids composition. This indicates that seed oil of these species is possibly suitable for both human consumption and industrial purposes.     

Changes of bioactive components in berry seed oils during supercritical CO2 extraction

The objective of the work was to elucidate the chemical composition of fractions of oil extracts obtained during the supercritical extraction on a semi‐industrial scale from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), chokeberry [Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.)], and raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) seeds from industrial press cake. The oil extracts differed in terms of their content of bioactive components: carotenoids, tocopherols, chlorophylls, and fatty acids. Raspberry seed oil was the richest source of tocopherols (620.1–2166.7 mg kg^?1) and α‐linolenic acid (above 37%). Chokeberry seed oil had the highest content of linoleic acid (above 70%), and α‐tocopherol (166.0–1104.8 mg kg^?1). Strawberry oil was characterized by the highest content of chlorophylls and α‐linolenic acid (above 30%). It was showed that the oil fraction collected at the beginning of extraction is characterized by a high acid value, which requires purification steps to be used for food purposes.

Practical applications

Strawberry, raspberry, and chokeberry by‐products left over from the production of concentrated juice are a valuable source of oils rich in n‐3 and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, and carotenoids. The research showed that the fractionation of extracts in the course of supercritical extraction leads to oils with varying amounts of different bioactive compounds, and thus to products with potentially wide applications. Seeds oils have high potential utility as a source of unconventional oil for cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors and biodiesel. Their targeted utilization may be exploited for economic, environmental and health benefits.     

Fatty acids profile of oil from nine varieties of Macadamia nut

The fatty acids profile and lipids content of the Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla varieties and interspecies hybrids, M. integrifolia and M. tetraphylla were analyzed. Total lipids content ranged from 70.9 to 79.7 g of oil per 100 g^?1 dry-solids. Gas chromatography/mass spectrophotometry identified 20 fatty acids, the most abundant of which were oleic acid (40 to 51%), palmitoleic acid (24 to 36%), and palmitic acid (8.4 to 13.1%). Fatty acids concentration differed between varieties and hybrids (Multivariate analysis of variance, F = 13.89, p < 0.0001). A ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids:saturated fatty acid values ranged from 2.8 to 4.6. The Huatusco variety (M. integrifolia and M. tetraphylla) exhibited the highest percentage of lipids (79.7 g of oil per 100 g^?1 DS) and the highest monounsaturated fatty acids:saturated fatty acid (4.6), thus highlighted its potential applications within the food industry. The Cate variety (M. integrifolia and M. tetraphylla) had the lowest monounsaturated fatty acids:saturated fatty acid, suggesting potential uses in the cosmetics industry.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the physico‐chemical and sensory properties of raw shelled peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) and pistachio nuts (Pistacia vera L.)

Backround The present study evaluated the quality of raw peanuts and pistachio nuts as a function of irradiation dose in order to determine dose levels causing minimal undesirable changes to these products. Physico‐chemical (colour, peroxide value, hexanal content, fatty acid composition, volatile compounds) and sensory (colour, texture, odour, taste) properties of raw peanuts and pistachio nuts were determined after irradiation at doses up to 7 kGy. Results Results showed an eight‐ and seven‐fold increase in peroxide value and a twelve and five‐fold increase in hexanal content after irradiation at a dose of 7 kGy for peanuts and pistachio nuts, respectively. An increase was also observed in saturated fatty acids (20.51–28.28% and 15.24–24.87%) with a parallel decrease in unsaturated fatty acids (79.49–71.72% and 84.76–75.13%) for peanuts and pistachio nuts, respectively. Likewise, volatile compounds such as aldehydes, alkanes, ketones and alcohols comprising secondary oxidation products of peanut and pistachio nut lipids increased after irradiation. Pistachio nut colour parameter a* and to a lesser extent parameters, L* and b* decreased after irradiation leading to a slight but noticeable darkening in product colour while colour parameter L*, b* and a* of raw peanut remained unchanged by irradiation up to 7 kGy. Conclusion Based on sensory evaluation, peanuts and pistachio nuts become unacceptable for consumption when irradiated at doses higher than 3 kGy. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of level of oil inclusion in the diet of dairy cows at pasture on animal performance and milk composition and properties

The effect of including additional oil, incorporated as whole rapeseeds, in the diet of 64 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows (32 mid‐ and 32 late‐lactation) at pasture on animal performance and milk fat composition and properties was followed over a continuous trial of 20 weeks duration. Within two stages of lactation (mid, 130 ± 16.2 days, or late, 231 ± 58.9 days), cows were allocated to concentrate treatments representing four levels of rapeseed oil inclusion, 0 (control), 200, 400 and 600 g oil day^?1. Oil inclusion had little effect on milk yield but decreased milk fat content significantly (P < 0.01), with a mean depression of 0.40% at the highest level of oil inclusion. The content of milk protein also decreased with increasing addition of oil, but the decrease was smaller than the milk fat depression and was not statistically significant. Increasing the level of rapeseed oil in the diet to 600 g oil day^?1 resulted in linear changes in milk fat and protein concentrations which were described by regression equations. For each 100 g of rapeseed oil added to the diet, milk fat content decreased by 0.068% in mid‐lactation cows and 0.061% in late‐lactation cows, while protein content decreased by 0.026% in mid‐lactation cows and 0.028% in late‐lactation cows. Total unsaturated fatty acid content of milk fat also increased in a linear fashion with increased level of oil addition, from 345.7 g kg^?1 total fatty acids in control milk fat to 459.3 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1, while total saturated fatty acids decreased in the same milk fats from 640.7 to 522.2 g kg^?1 total fatty acids. These changes were reflected in lower solid fat contents (SFC) in the milk fat at the lower temperatures of measurement, eg 41% SFC at 5 °C at the highest level of oil inclusion compared with 52% in the control milk fat. However, SFC at 20 °C showed little difference with increasing level of dietary oil addition, an important factor in maintaining product integrity at room temperatures. The relatively high content of the monounsaturated fatty acid C18:1 (345.5 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1) and low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (total C18:2 and C18:3 <40 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1) ensured that the oxidative stability of the treatment and control milk fats did not differ significantly. Stage of lactation had an unexplained effect of consistent magnitude on milk fat composition throughout the trial period, with late‐lactation animals producing milk fats containing a significantly (P < 0.001) higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids than the mid‐lactation animals. Changes in the proportions of unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat, as reflected by changes in iodine value, were established within 2 weeks of the trial commencing and persisted over the 20 weeks of the trial duration. No adverse effect on animal health from this type of dietary manipulation was identified. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Total lipid content and fatty acid composition of oilseed from lesser known sweet pomegranate clones

The oil content and fatty acid composition of the oilseed of seven lesser known Spanish sweet pomegranate (Punica granatum L) clones were determined by gas chromatography. The seeds contained oil in the range of about 63–122 g kg⁻¹ dry matter, a notably lower content than that of some oriental pomegranate cultivars. Levels of lipid content probably could be considered insufficient for economic industrial exploitation compared with those of conventional oilseeds. The predominant fatty acid was the polyunsaturate (n − 3) linolenic acid (43.4–88.2%), followed by the diunsaturate linoleic (5.3–16.5%), the monounsaturate oleic (3.7–20.3%) and palmitoleic (traces to 2.9%) acids. To a lesser extent the saturates palmitic (2.6–14.9%) and stearic (1.2–9.0%) acids were also found in all clones. Lauric and arachidic acids were rarely detected. We have not confirmed the presence of behenic (C22:0) and lignoceric (C24:0) acids previously reported in edible and non‐edible pomegranate cultivars. Intervarietal differences in fatty acid composition were shown and they could be useful to establish chemotaxonomic differences. In contrast with previous reports on sweet pomegranate cultivars, a very low (0.04–0.35) saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratio was found. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of oil sources and vitamin E levels in the diet on the composition of fatty acids in rooster thigh and chest meat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of different oil sources and dietary supplementation with vitamin E on the composition of fatty acids in rooster meat. Two hundred and forty 30‐week‐old White Leghorn roosters were distributed in a completely randomized factorial arrangement of 5 × 2, using five oil sources (sunflower, soybean, canola, linseed and fish) and two levels of antioxidant (30 and 400 mg vitamin E kg^?1 of diet). The intake of fish and canola oil in the diet reduced (P < 0.05) the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the thigh meat. Amongst the unsaturated fatty acids in the thigh, the fish and canola oil reduced (P < 0.05) the level of ω6 fatty acid, with a consequent decrease in the ratio ω6:ω3. The diet with fish oil increased (P < 0.05) the content of C22:6ω3 in the thigh meat. The use of linseed oil resulted in a significant reduction of the ratio of ω6:ω3 fatty acid in the thigh. The use of soybean oil in the diet increased (P < 0.05) the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the thigh, specifically in the content of ω6. The inclusion of vitamin E increased the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the chest meat, such as C18:3ω3, C20:5ω3 and C22:6ω3. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Variation in oil content and fatty acid composition of the seed oil of Acacia species collected from the northwest zone of India

BACKGROUND: The oil content and fatty acid composition of the mature seeds of Acacia species collected from natural habitat of the northwest zone of the Indian subcontinent (Rajasthan) were analyzed in order to determine their potential for human or animal consumption. RESULTS: Oil content varied between 40 and 102 g kg^?1. The highest oil content was obtained in Acacia bivenosa DC. (102 g kg^?1) among the nine Acacia species. The fatty acid composition showed higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid (～757.7 g kg^?1 in A. bivenosa), oleic acid (～525.0 g kg^?1 in A. nubica) and dominant saturated fatty acids were found to be 192.5 g kg^?1 palmitic acid and 275.6 g kg^?1 stearic acid in A. leucophloea and A. nubica respectively. Seed oils of Acacia species can thus be classified in the linoleic–oleic acid group. Significant variations were observed in oil content and fatty acid composition of Acacia species. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that the seed oil of Acacia species could be a new source of high linoleic–oleic acid‐rich edible oil and its full potential should be exploited. The use of oil from Acacia seed is of potential economic benefit to the poor native population of the areas where it is cultivated. The fatty acid composition of Acacia seed oils is very similar to that reported for commercially available edible vegetable oils like soybean, mustard, sunflower, groundnut and olive. Hence the seed oil of Acacia species could be a new source of edible vegetable oil after toxicological studies. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

A chemometric approach for the quantification of free fatty acids in cottonseed oil by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The aim of this study was to quantify free fatty acid in cottonseed oil (Gossypium) variety by a chemometric approach using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Calibration standards were prepared by gravimetrical mixing of oleic acid (0.1–40 g/100 g) in neutralized cottonseed oil containing <0.1% free fatty acids. Fourier transform infrared technique coupled with partial least square and principle component regression models were used to develop calibrations in the specific absorption region of carbonyl between 1690–1727 cm^?1. On the basis of regression coefficient and evaluated free fatty acids results with comparison to titration method, partial least square was found to be more accurate than principle component regression calibration model. All the analyzed cottonseed oil varieties showed high content of free fatty acids in the range of 17.1–38.5%. The results of the present study indicated that Fourier transform infrared method in combination with partial least square or principle component regression could be used as a greener alternative to the standard titration method.     

Characterisation of musk lime (Citrusmicrocarpa) seed oil

BACKGROUND: The seeds of musk lime (Citrus microcarpa) represent a substantial waste product of small‐scale citrus‐processing factories, as they constitute about 100.0 ± 3.2 g kg^?1 of the whole fruit and contain a considerable amount of crude fat (338.0 ± 11.3 g kg^?1). Thus the aim of the present study was to determine the physicochemical properties of this fat with a view to potential applications. RESULTS: The iodine and saponification values and unsaponifiable matter and free fatty acid contents of the freshly extracted oil were 118.0 g I₂ per 100 g oil, 192.6 mg KOH g^?1 oil, 22 mg g^?1 oil and 18 mg oleic acid g^?1 oil respectively. The oil had a Lovibond colour index of 33.1 Y + 1.1 B. Its fatty acid profile indicated that 73.6% of the fatty acids present were unsaturated. Linoleic (L, 31.8%), oleic (O, 29.6%) and palmitic (P, 21.4%) acids were the predominant fatty acids, existing mainly as the triacylglycerols POL (18.9%), PLL (13.7%) and OLL (11.9%). The melting and cooling points of the oil were 10.7 and ? 45.2 °C respectively. Electronic nose qualitative analysis of the oil showed the presence of volatile (aroma) compounds, although the concentrations of the more volatile compounds were lower than those present in the seeds. CONCLUSION: Musk lime seeds are a rich source of oil, which is unusual in having linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids dominating the fatty acid composition. This property should make the oil both relatively stable to thermal oxidation owing to the combined presence of oleic and palmitic acids (61.0%) and highly nutritive owing to its high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids (73.6%). Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Total lipids content and fatty acid composition of seed oils from six pomegranate cultivars

The fatty acid composition of the seed oils of six pomegranate (Punica granatum L) cultivars was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by gas chromatography. The seeds contained oil in the range 51-152 mg kg^?1 dry matter. Intervarietal differences in fatty acid composition were demonstrated (fatty acid esters as % (w/w) total fatty acid esters. Sour varieties had the highest while sour-sweet varieties had the lowest oil content. Eleven fatty acids were identified. In all varieties, the predominant fatty acids were linoleic (25.2-38.6%) and oleic acid (24.8-35.5%) followed by palmitic (18.2-22.6%), stearic (6.9-10.4%) and linolenic acid (0.6-9.9%). To a lesser extent arachidic (1.1-3.4%) and palmitoleic acid (0.2-2.7%) were also found in all varieties. Lauric, myristic, behenic and lignoceric acids were rarely detected. As far as we know linolenic (18:3), arachidic (20:0), behenic (22:0) or lignoceric (24:0) acids have not been previously reported in the seed oils of edible pomegranate varieties. Lignoceric acid has not previously been found in pomegranate seed oil.     

The fatty acid and tocopherol constituents of the seed oil extracted from 21 grape varieties (Vitis spp.)

BACKGROUND: Fatty acids and tocopherols in appropriate quantities are invaluable attributes that are desirable in seeds of agricultural products. Studies have generally focused on the evaluation of the oil and tocopherol components of oil crops. Recently, investigations revealed that the grape seed has robust potential in the production of healthy fatty acids as well as tocopherols. This study was thus conducted to determine the oil and tocopherol components of grape seeds, obtained from various grape cultivars of different species, including two rootstock varieties. RESULTS: The grape seed oil concentration of the studied varieties ranged from 7.3 to 22.4%. The determined fatty acid profiles of the genotypes conformed to the pattern described in the literature for grapes. Linoleic acid is the major component comprising 53.6–69.6% of the total, followed by oleic (16.2–31.2%), palmitic (6.9–12.9%) and stearic (1.44–4.69%). The oils of all the seeds analysed showed a preponderance of α‐tocopherol (ranging from 260.5 to 153.1 mg kg^?1 oil extract). β‐Tocopherol, γ‐tocopherol and δ‐tocopherol were also detected with the general means of 0.98, 22.2 and 0.92 mg kg^?1, respectively. Linoleic acid showed a significantly negative correlation with all the fatty acids analysed. The strongest negative correlation existed between linoleic and oleic acids (r = ? 0.834, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Present investigations indicated that oil content, fatty acid composition and tocopherol constituents of grape seed show great variation among the genotypes. Markedly higher proportions of linoleic acid with considerable amounts of tocopherols found in the oil samples suggest that grape seed is a good source for culinary, pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Variability in oil content and fatty acid composition of Ethiopian and introduced cultivars of linseed

This study was undertaken to assess the variability in oil content, oil yield and fatty acid composition of 60 linseed cultivars and to identify suitable accessions for use in future breeding and development endeavours in Ethiopia. Mean oil contents ranged from 291 to 359 g kg^?1, while oil yields varied between 1443 and 3276 g m^?2. Exotic introductions, especially those from Canada such as CDC‐VG, had higher oil contents than the local cultivars. Thus the introduction of exotic materials should be given more emphasis through germplasm exchange programmes. Unsaturated fatty acids were the major components in the oils, varying significantly (P < 0.01) from 859 to 906 g kg^?1, while minor saturated fatty acids were present at 84–119 g kg^?1. The contents of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids were 148–293, 109–161 and 470–591 g kg^?1 respectively. Although accessions with variable linolenic acid contents were identified, this variability was insufficient to develop genotypes with less than 20 g kg^?1 linolenic acid for cooking oil through conventional crossing and selection methods. Hence mutation techniques and the introduction of exotic lines should be regarded as alternative approaches to obtain linseed genotypes with low linolenic acid contents. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Enrichment of ω‐3 fatty acids in flax seed oil by alkaline lipase of Aspergillus fumigatus MTCC 9657

Flax seed oil obtained from the seeds of flax plant (Linum usitatissimum, L.) is an unexploited source which contains ω‐3 and ω‐6 fatty acids. Flax seed oil is hydrolysed with a novel alkaline lipase from Aspergillus fumigatus MTCC 9657 for the removal of unwanted fatty acids and enrichment of ω‐3 fatty acids. An appropriate balance of ω‐3 and ω‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and enzymatic enrichment of polyunsaturated fatty acids in diet promote nutrition and health. Fatty acid composition shows that flax seed oil contains about 26.80%, 13.5% and 25.45% of ω‐3 and ω‐6 fatty acids in triglyceride (TG), diglyceride (DG) and monoglyceride (MG), respectively. After 8 h of hydrolysis, ω‐3 content was increased to 39% in TG, showing that unwanted saturated fatty acids are removed. ω‐6 content of triglycerides in flax seed oil also showed 54.76% increase after 8 h of hydrolysis. An enzymatic method of hydrolysis by fungal lipase was developed by this study and achieved to concentrate the essential fatty acids linoleic acid (LA) and α‐linoleic acids (ALA).     

伞花木种仁油的理化性质及脂肪酸组成分析

采用索氏抽提法提取伞花木种仁油,并对其理化性质及脂肪酸组成进行分析。结果表明:伞花木种仁粗脂肪含量为36.42%,伞花木种仁油酸值(KOH)为0.70 mg/g,皂化值(KOH)为184mg/g,碘值(I)为111 g/100 g;伞花木种仁油含有14种脂肪酸,主要为油酸(35.87%)、亚油酸(18.39%)和亚麻酸(17.18%),不饱和脂肪酸含量高达92.37%。伞花木是一种具有很高开发价值的油脂植物资源。     

The distribution of fatty acids in the seed oils of the compositae,liliaceae, ranunculaceae and sapindaceae families

The oil content and fatty acid composition of the seed oils of Compositae (five species), Goodeniaceae (three species), Liliaceae (three species), Ranunculaceae (three species) and Sapindaceae (three species) were determined. The fatty acid composition of the seed oils were analysed by gas chromatography. In the 17 species studied the seed oil fatty acids were dominated by linoleic acid (50.1–70–5%) followed by oleic (11.1–20–4%) and palmitic acids (9.0–13–3%), except in one species, Diplopeltis huegelii, in which oleic acid (35.1%) predominated.     

Unexploited Acacia cyanophylla seeds: potential food sources of ω6 fatty acids and antioxidants?

BACKGROUND: In order to investigate new sources of dietary phytochemicals, recent studies have focused on underexploited seeds. In this study the total lipid contents, fatty acid profiles and levels of soluble proteins, minerals and antioxidants in seeds from 12 Acacia cyanophylla ecotypes commonly grown in Tunisia were determined. RESULTS: Total lipids averaged 101.7 g kg^?1 on a dry weight basis. Linoleic (61.11–65.45% of total fatty acid content), oleic (19.67–22.85%) and palmitic (9.18–9.98%) acids were the principal fatty acids. Smaller proportions of stearic (1.49–1.82%), vaccenic (1.13–2.05%) and palmitoleic (0.34–0.58%) acids were also quantified. Proteins (by Kjeldahl assay) averaged 107.2 g kg^?1 on a dry weight basis. Total phenolics averaged 1.91 g gallic acid equivalent kg^?1 dry weight (DW) and total flavonoids averaged 0.40 g rutin equivalent kg^?1 DW. The free radical‐scavenging activity determined by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl assay averaged 0.59 mmol L^?1 Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), while that determined by 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) assay averaged 0.28 mmol L^?1 TEAC. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study confirm the presence of ω6 fatty acids at high levels in A. cyanophylla seeds. These metabolites could be used as such and/or extracted for the formulation of supplements and/or ingredients to provide a ratio close to the ideal for the ω3/ω6 balance. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry