FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF SEED OILS FROM SPONTANEOUS SPECIES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SOUTH-EAST AREA

Abstract

In the course of our investigations of new sources of higher plant lipids, the fatty acid composition of seed oils of 15 species is reported. These species belong to 15 different families which are well represented in the flora of the mediterranean south-east area. With the help of TLC, IR and coloration tests , unusual compounds were not characterized. Seed oil of Buxus sempervirens, and, to a lesser extent, that of Verbascum thapsus contained hydrolyzed glycerides and free fatty acids. Fatty acid compositions was determined by GC. Four species showed interesting high levels of their predominant fatty acid : Lythrum salicaria (linoleic acid, 80%), Reseda lutea and Salvia sclarea (linolenic acid, more than 60%), Lunaria annua (erucic acid, 40%, nervonic acid, 22%.