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Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) content of encapsulated evening primrose oil products

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Lipids

Abstract

The fatty acid composition of 16 brands of evening primrose oil (EPO) capsules was determined by capillary gas chromatography. Fourteen of these EPO brands contained γ-linolenic acid (GLA) levels between 7% and 10% (mean, 8.7; range, 1.9–10.5%) and there was generally good agreement between the level of GLA claimed by the manufacturer and the level determined by analysis. Low levels of the monoenes 22∶1 and 24∶1 found in some brands may indicate contamination of EPO with borage oil.

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Abbreviations

EPO:

evening primrose oil

GLA:

γ-linolenic acid (18∶3n−6)

LA:

linoleic acid (18∶2n−6)

MUFA:

monounsaturated fatty acids

SFA:

saturated fatty acids

TLC:

thin-layer chromatography

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Flinders Medical Centre, 5042, Bedford Park, (Adelaide), Australia

    Robert A. Gibson, David R. Lines & Mark A. Neumann

Authors
  1. Robert A. Gibson
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  2. David R. Lines
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  3. Mark A. Neumann
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Gibson, R.A., Lines, D.R. & Neumann, M.A. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) content of encapsulated evening primrose oil products. Lipids 27, 82–84 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02537067

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02537067

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