title: Sardinian Boraginaceae are new potential sources of gamma-linolenic acid.
abstract: The aim of this work was to establish the richness in γ-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n6) and stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n3) of several Sardinian Boraginaceae species. To this end, seeds of selected species were collected from their natural habitats and analysed. The highest GLA contents were found in the seed oils of two endemic Borago taxa, i.e. B. morisiana (24.4 and 24.6% GLA of total fatty acids for samples from San Pietro Island and Sardinia Island, respectively), and 22.9% GLA for B. pygmaea. Both Borago species contained more GLA than B. officinalis collected in the same ecosystems. SDA was found in significant amounts in Echium plantagineum seed oil from the Lattias Mountains (15% SDA of total fatty acids). It is notable that both Borago GLA-rich species are under threat of extinction, thus revealing the importance of the preservation of the natural Sardinian ecosystems for endangered species and human health.
authors.affiliation: Food Technology Division, University of Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain. Electronic address: jlguil@ual.es.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Guil-Guerrero
authors.affiliation: Botany Division, University of Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gómez-Mercado
authors.affiliation: Food Technology Division, University of Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: Rebeca Pilar
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ramos-Bueno
authors.affiliation: Food Technology Division, University of Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: González-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Agronomy Division, University of Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urrestarazu
authors.affiliation: Food Technology Division, University of Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain; Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, El Líbano 5524, Macul, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Miguel Ángel
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Rincón-Cervera
mesh_terms: D028082:Boraginaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; C062895:stearidonic acid
keywords: Borago morisiana; Borago pygmaea; Endangered species; Sardinian Boraginaceae; Stearidonic acid; γ-Linolenic acid