| Abstract: | The seeds of 28 species from ‘cerrado’, a typical savanna ecosystem of Brazil, were analysed for total lipid contents and fatty acid distribution. The seeds of 10 species presented contents above 150 g kg−1, the highest yield reaching 335 g kg−1. Distribution of fatty acids based on polyunsaturated compounds seems to be rare in seed oils from ‘cerrado’: only three seed oils were found to be based on linoleic acid and none on linolenic acid. Eight seed oils, four of them Fabales, presented palmitic acid as a dominant constituent. Half of the species presented oleic acid based seed oils. Two species stand out for unusual fatty acid distribution: Qualea grandiflora (Vochysiaceae) with 171 g kg−1 of seed oil presenting 723 g kg−1 of lauric acid and Serjania erecta (Sapindaceae) with 256 g kg−1 of seed oil presenting 623 g kg−1 of eicosenoic acid. |
