Lipid Structure of Lallemantia Seed Oil: A Potential Source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Nutritional Supplements

Abstract

The lipid composition of the seed oil of three varieties (L-74, VIR-11 and BGR-455) of Lallemantia iberica Fisch. & Mey. (Lamiaceae) harvested in Bulgaria was examined in detail. Triacylglycerols (TAG [90%), phospholipids (\3%), sterol esters (*0.2%), and accompanying compounds—sterols (*0.3%) and tocopherols (336–499 mg/kg)—were determined for the first time. In addition, the specific distribution of fatty acids between the lipid classes was elucidated. Nineteen TAG species were unambiguously identified and quantified and of these the highly unsaturated trilinolenin, dilinolenyl linoleate and dilinolenyl palmitate comprised 59% of the total TAG. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine were the main phospholipids. Beta-sitosterol was the main sterol component, followed by campesterol and stigmasterol. Gamma-tocopherol predominated ([90%) in the tocopherol fraction. Palmitic acid (16:0) was the major fatty acid of the phospholipids and oleic acid (cis 9-18:1) dominated in the sterol ester fraction. The three varieties have similar lipid compositions with BGR-455 being slightly more saturated. Due to its composition, Lallemantia oil might compete successfully with flax and other plant oils as a source of linolenic fatty acid in industrial and dietary applications.