VARIATIONS OF FATTY-ACID COMPOSITIONS IN GROWING AND STORED CAMELLIA SEEDS

Abstract

The monthly accumulations of oils and the corresponding variations of fatty acid contents in the growing seeds of Camellia oleifera Abel. and C. meiocarpa Hu were investigated. After a marked volume increase of seeds, most of the oils were accumulated rapidly later in the growing season. The saturated fatty acids, including lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids, tended to decrease, whereas the unsaturated oleic acid and the essential fatty acids (EFAs) of linoleic and linolenic acids tended to increase during the same period. The changes of the contents and the qualities of oils in stored seeds also were investigated. Increases of about 2-3% of oil contents were observed in the earlier 1-2 months of storage as a result of an after-ripening effect. However, oils from seeds after 5-month storages had decreases of the EFA's linoleic and linolenic acids. The above results indicate that to obtain more and better oils from camellia seeds, it is better to harvest fruits after the seeds are fully maturated and to extract oils within 1-2 months after harvesting.