Unsaponifiable matter and fatty acid composition of pea oil.

14 compounds were detected in the unsaponifiable matter of pea oil by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) and 8 of them were identified as hydrocarbons C30, C32, squalene, alpha-tocopherol, cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol. The predominant unsaponifiable fraction was beta-sitosterol whereas the others were found in variable amounts. Two sterols were isolated by column chromatography. One of them was characterised as beta-sitosterol by measuring the melting point, [a]D, and infrared spectra and those of its acetate. However, the other sterol was unidentified. The fatty acid contents in pea oil were determined quantitatively by GLC. They were present in variable amounts, whereas linoleic acid was the major one.