Evening primrose (Oenothera spp.) oil and seed

Abstract

Evening primrose (Oenothera spp.) seed contains ca. 15% protein, 24% oil, and 43% cellulose plus lignin. The protein is unusually rich in sulphur-containing amino acids and in tryptophan. The component fatty acids of the oil are 65-80% linoleic and 7-14% of γ-linolenic, but no α-linolenic acid. The 1.5-2% unsaponifiable matter has a composition very similar to that of cottonseed oil. The sterol fraction contains 90%β-sitosterol and the 4-methyl sterol fraction contains 48% citrostadienol;γ-tocopherol dominates its class, with some α- but no other tocopherols. © 1984 the American Oil Chemists' Society.