Major fatty acids composition of 32 almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] Hara and Radin (1978) method were used. Fatty acids content were determined using gas chromatographic (GC) analysis. The datas were evalulated with SPSS 17.0 statistical program. Results: In the gas chromatographic analysis, palmitic acid (16:0), palmitoleic acid (16:1), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2), and linolenic acid (18:3) were determined to be 5.34%, 0.70%, 0.85%, 74.46%, 17.89%, and 0.75% respectively. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) 6.19%, unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) 93.81% and a rate of USFA/SFA of 15.40, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) 75.16%, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) 18.65% and a MUFA/PUFA ratio of 4.32 were found. In the correlation analysis, the highest correlation coefficient (r=-0.988) was detected between oleic acid and linoleic acid. Relationships among almond samples were partially identified with the cluster analysis. Conclusion: In this study, the variations were found between almond genotypes collected from different locations in terms of fatty acids compositions. Besides, the almond genotypes that have high quality unsaturates fatty acids such as high oleic acids and low linoleik acids content were determened. Key Words: Almond, seeds fatty acid composition, correlation, cluster analysis Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. ductivity, resistance to pests and diseases, etc.) were taken into account by human selection pressure when looking for the adequate genotypes adapted to local conditions and to the preference of the consumers. The genotypes having incorporated these highly selected traits represent very valuable germplasm for addressing future challenges in almond breeding. As a consequence, these genotypes are preserved, characterized in several almond collections and incorporated into advanced breeding programs [16]. Chemical composition of almond kernels has only been partially studied. This information would be crucial to increase the knowledge of their diversity, the nutritional and healthy value of the kernels, and the possibility of selecting the most adequate parents in a breeding program for increasing kernel quality [9]. In this study, fatty acid composition, correlation and relationship levels of 32 different almond genotypes distributing to East and Southeast Anatolia Regions seeds have been revealed. These findings can be used to identify almond fatty acids quality and selections of almond genotypes for breeding programs and serving to different productions.
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Materials and Methods
Almond seed sources32 different genotypes of Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb's mature seeds were collected from different localities of South and Southeast Anatolia Regions (Table 1). From these, the genotypes numbered 37, 42 and 53 are plain, the genotype numbered 43 is bitterish and all other genotypes are composed of sweet almonds.
Chemicals, organic solvents, equipment and toolsThe chemicals for fatty acids analyses; palmitic acid (16:0), palmitoleic...