Biologically active components in Madia sativa seed oil.

Biologically active components in lipids (fatty acids, phospholipids, sterols and tocopherols) from three varieties of Madia sativa seeds introduced in Bulgaria (BGR 457 and BGR 458 with German origin, and BGR 459 with US origin) were investigated. Glyceride oil in the seeds was found to be 36.6, 34.2 and 35.4%, respectively. Total phospholipid content was 2.4, 1.7 and 2.6% and the main classes were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The amount of sterols in the oil was 0.3% for all samples and the major component was β-sitosterol, followed by campesterol and stigmasterol. Total tocopherols in the oils were 768, 795 and 856 mg kg-1, respectively and α-tocopherol predominated (more than 70.0%). Fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols and sterol esters was also established. Main fatty acids in triacylglycerols were linoleic (47.5-50.5%), oleic (30.2-32.4%) and palmitic acids (13.0-13.5%). The content of saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic) in sterol esters (40.1-50.9%) was significantly higher than in triacylglycerols (18.3-19.4%).