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GC-FID/MS Analysis of Fatty Acids in Indian Cultivars of Moringa oleifera: Potential Sources of PUFA

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Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society

Abstract

In the present investigation, the fatty acid profile was analysed in vegetative and reproductive parts of eight commercially cultivated Indian cultivars of Moringa oleifera and verified by gas chromatography mass spectra. In leaves, α-linolenic acid (C18:3, cis-9,12,15) was found in the highest quantity (49–59 %) followed by palmitic acid (C16:0) (16–18 %), and linoleic acid (C18:2, cis-9,12) (6–13 %). The total content of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids showed a ratio of 0.33 (cv. DHANRAJ) to 0.39 (cv. PKM-2) in leaves, 0.53 in flowers and 0.56 in tender pods. Similarly, polyunsaturated fatty acids and total monounsaturated fatty acids were found in a ratio of 5.68 (cv. DHANRAJ) to 9.71 (cv. CO-1) in leaves, 1.11 in flowers and 2.79 in tender pods. The total lipid content was recorded in the range of 1.92 % (flowers) to 4.82 % (leaves, cv. CO-1). When considering health benefits, M. oleifera leaves contain low amounts of saturated fatty acids, a high mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid content, which can enhance the health benefits of Moringa-based products.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi (India), for financial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Cell Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570 020, India

    R. K. Saini, N. P. Shetty & P. Giridhar

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  1. R. K. Saini
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  2. N. P. Shetty
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  3. P. Giridhar
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Correspondence to P. Giridhar.

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Saini, R.K., Shetty, N.P. & Giridhar, P. GC-FID/MS Analysis of Fatty Acids in Indian Cultivars of Moringa oleifera: Potential Sources of PUFA. J Am Oil Chem Soc 91, 1029–1034 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-014-2439-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-014-2439-9

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