Variability in seed oil composition of 43 Linum species

Abstract

Analyses of the seed oil of 43 Linum species showed great variability in fatty acid composition. The species can be grouped in two broad categories on the basis of seed oil composition: 1) Those with high linolenic, low linoleic and low oleic acid content, and 2) Those with high linoleic, low linolenic and low oleic acid content. A positive correlation was observed between iodine value and linolenic acid content, and a negative correlation between linolenic and linoleic acid content. There was no correlation between fatty acid composition and chronosome number. © 1966 The American Oil Chemists' Society.