The fatty acid compositions and ɷ-6/ɷ-3 ratios of the seeds of endemic three Achillea species

Abstract

The seed oils of three endemic species of Achillea ( A. cappadocica Hausskn.  Bornm., A. sivasica Celik & Akpulat and A. sintenisii Hub-Mor.) were investigated for their total lipid contents, fatty acid compositions and ɷ-6/ɷ-3 ratios. The seed lipid contents were found to be 3.13%, 3.80% and 3.85%, respectively. The fatty acid compositions of these species were determined by gas chromatography. The seed oils of Achillea species contain palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0) and myristic (C14:0) acids as the major component fatty acids among the saturated acids. The major unsaturated fatty acids found in the seed oils were linoleic (C18:2 ɷ-6), linolenic (C18:3 ɷ-3) and oleic (C18:1 ɷ-9c) acids. The ɷ-6/ɷ-3 ratios of the seed oils of A. cappadocica, A. sivasica and A. sintenisii were found to be 2.30, 2.40 and 3.52, respectively. From these results, it can be said ɷ-6 and ɷ-3 series fatty acids improved the seed oils quality of these Achillea species.