Fatty acid composition of seed oils of some members of the meliaceae and combretaceae families

Abstract

Seed oils of some members of the Meliceae (six) and Combretaceae (three) were analyzed for their fatty acid composition. In oils of members of both families palmitic acid was the most abundant saturated acid. Trace amounts of short chain (C12-C14) and long chain (C20-C22) saturated acids were detected in some members of the two families. Oleic acid was the most abundant unsaturated acids in the oils of four members of the Meliaceae. However, in the oils of Cedrella odorata and Lovoa trichilloides, dienoic acid (C18:2) was the major unsaturated acid. Strikingly high levels of trienoic (C18:3) and monoenoic (C16:1) acids were detected in the seed oils of C. odorata and Enthandrophragma angolense, respectively. Oleic acid also was the most abundant unsaturated acid in the Combretaceae. The nutritional value and industrial potentials of these oils are given. © 1985 American Oil Chemists' Society.