Fatty Acid, Sterol and Tocopherol Compositions of P. scoparia and Pistacia atlantica Seed Oil

Abstract

The present study was conducted on fatty acids, sterols and tocopherols content of P. scoparial and cold pressed Pistacia atlantica seed oils to seek the possibility of industrial applications. Tocopherols were analyzed with reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and fatty acids and sterols with gas chromatography. The main fatty acids from the studied samples were: oleic acid, linoleic acid and palmitic fatty acid. Oleic acid represents 51 % in Pistacia atlantica and 67 % in P. scoparia seed oils. Because of its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, it might prove to be of value in diets and may be used as edible oils. Unique amount of tocopherols and sterols may be of nutritional importance in the application of these seed oils. Total sterol content in Pistacia atlantica and P. scoparia seed oils were 2164.5 and 2084.5 mg kg-1 oil, respectively. High level of tocopherols in Pistacia atlantica cold press oil (409.97 mg kg-1 oil) and P. scoparia oil (487.92 mg kg-1 oil) were determined.