Occurrence and characterization of oils rich in gamma-linolenic acid Part I: Echium seeds from Macaronesia.
Nineteen species of the genus Echium (Fam. Boraginaceae) collected in Macaronesia were surveyed in a search for new sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3omega6). High amounts of this acid were found in all of them, ranging from 9.15% (E. plantagineum) to 26.31% (E. callithyrsum) of total seed fatty acids. The amounts of GLA related to total seed weight were also significant, ranging from 1.77% (E. sventenii) to 5.02% (E. nervosum). In addition, considerable amounts of stearidonic acid (SA, 18:4omega3) were detected, ranging from 3.03% (E. auberianum) to 12.94% (E. plantagineum) of total fatty acids. These data allow us to consider tile members of the genus Echium from Macaronesia as one of the richest sources of gamma-linolenic acid found so far in nature. The results obtained from multivariable data analysis and the taxonomic relationships among the species is discussed.
Guil-Guerrero
J L
JL
Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Almería, Spain. jlguil@ualm.es
Gómez-Mercado
F
F
García-Maroto
F
F
Campra-Madrid
P
P
D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*
D010938:Plant Oils; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid