Fatty acid composition and correlation studies in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Abstract

In 25 Punjab oilseed flax cultivars, there were wide variations in 1000-seed weight (4.6-9.2 g), seed oil content (38.25-45.25%), oil iodine value (155-187) and the contents of palmitic (6.47-12.8%), stearic (3.36-7.65%), oleic (15.94-31.81%), linoleic (10.92-16.21%) and linolenic (38.43-56.25%) acids in the oil. The contents of palmitic and oleic acids were negatively correlated with iodine value, that of stearic acid was negatively correlated with seed weight, iodine value and palmitic acid content, that of linoleic acid was positively correlated with seed weight and that of linolenic acid was positively correlated with iodine value and negatively with oleic acid content.