Chemical Studies of Anagallis arvensis Seed Oil

Abstract

The fatty acid composition (% by wt) of seed oil of Anagallis Arvensis is Myristic acid (5.74%); Palmitic acid (31.43%); oleic acid (26.43%); Linoleic acid (17.57%); Lino-lenic acid (16.25%) and Gadoleic acid (2.58%). The U. V. and I. R. of methyl esters showed no indication of conjugation or trans or alpha, beta unsaturation or any other functional group (e. g. -OH, epoxy allene etc.). Argentation TLC of methyl esters, Petroleum ether : Ether (92 : 8 v/v) indicated the presence of mono, di and trienes. The position of double bonds, was established by Lumieux -Von Rudloff oxidative cleavage and G. L. C. analysis of the resulting products. The unsaponifiable fraction contains higher alkanols, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol.