Fatty Acid Profiles of the Seed Oils in Two Groups of Anchusa officinalis L.

Total seed oil and fatty acid compositions of two informal groups of Anchusa officinalis L. were studied in order to provide additional information for the delineation of the groups. Major fatty acids were linoleic (C18:2n6), oleic (C18:1n9), α-linolenic (C18:3n3), γ-linolenic (C18:3n6), palmitic (C16:0) and stearidonic acid (C18:4n3) respectively. The lower levels were observed in stearic (C18:0), eicosenoic (C20:1n9) and erucic acids (C22:1n9). Linoleic (24,4 to 25,8%) and oleic acids (23,2 to 25,5%) were detected in the highest levels. α-linolenic (14,5 to 15,1%) and γ-linolenic acid (12,5 to 12,6%) as an unusual fatty acid in plants were also at the high concentrations in both groups. Saturated fatty acids in total were observed at the lower levels generally (1,9-8,9%). Significantly difference for the fatty acid profiles between the groups were found (p<0,05). Differences were also significant for saturated (palmitic and stearic) and unsaturated fatty acids, and for their some ratios (p<0,05). Total percentages of poly-unsaturated (56,27 to 56,41%), mono-unsaturated (26,47 to 31,38%) and saturated fatty acids (10,12 to 11,95%) were quantified closely in both groups. The parameters examined here may be useful as additional biochemical marker set for the discrimination of Anchusa at infraspesific levels. Valuable concentrations for essential poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including linoleic, α-linolenic and γ-linolenic acid as special dietetics and nutraceuticals suggest the alternative source potential of A. officinalis .