Functional lipid characteristics of cherry laurel seeds (Laurocerasus officinalis Roem.)

Abstract

The seeds of two native cherry laurel varieties (namely Kiraz and Findik), grown in the city of Giresun, Turkey, were compared in terms of their lipid content, lipid classes, fatty acids and fat soluble bioactives (tocols and phytosterols). Lipid content of the seeds in Kiraz and Findik varieties were 38.10 and 41.61%, respectively. The proportion of nonpolar and polar lipids ranged from 87.91 to 88.27% and from 11.73 to 12.09%, respectively. Triacylglycerol, and acetone mobile polar lipid and phospholipid, were the only nonpolar and polar lipids detected, respectively. No significant (P > 0.05,) differences were found between the two samples among lipid classes. Thirteen, nine and four major fatty acids were detected in crude, neutral and polar lipids, respectively. Among those identified fatty acids, oleic acid was the predominant fatty acid (62.42-64.18% in crude oil, 56.60-60.11 % in neutral lipid, and 78.23-79.55% in polar lipid) followed by linoleic acid and palmitic acid in all lipid fractions. Eight tocol isoforms (four tocopherols and four tocotrienols) and three common phytosterols were positively identified and quantified; among these, γ-tocopherol (0.55-0.69 mg/100 g oil) and β-sitosterol (192.5-222 mg/100 g oil) were predominant in both seed oils. Tocotrienols were detected in trace amounts (<0.01 mg/100 g oil). Significant differences (<P0.05) existed between Kiraz and Findik varieties among tocopherols and phytosterols. Thus, the present results suggest that both cherry laurel seeds serve as good sources of lipid, monounsaturated fatty acids, and bioactives. Therefore, both cherry seed oils might be considered as functional food ingredients and nutraceuticals. Journal compilation © 2006, Blackwell Publishing.