Determination of fatty acids and total lipid content in oilseed of 25 pomegranates varieties grown in Iran

The fatty acids composition of the seed oils of 25 pomegranates varieties obtained from two different regions of Iran (Punica granatum L.) was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by gas chromatography. The seeds contained oil in the range of about 66.3-193 g kg(-1) dry matter, a notably higher content than western pomegranate cultivars. Levels of lipid content probably could be considered insufficient for economic industrial exploitation except for medical usages and specific consumption. The pre-dominant fatty acid was linolenic acid (C18:3) and its content was about 31.8-86.6%, followed by linoleic acid (0.7-24.4%), oleic acid (0.4-17.4%), stearic acid (2.8-16.7%), and palmitic acid (0.3-9.9%). To a lesser extent, the saturated myristic acid (0.1-4.7%) and behenic acid (0.0-3.9%) were also found in some cultivars. We have not confirmed the presence of lauric, arachidic and lignoceric acids previously reported in edible and non-edible pomegranate cultivars. Intervarietal differences in fatty acid compositions were shown and they could be useful to establish chemotaxonomic differences. (c) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.