Fatty acid composition of seed oils from sixAdansonia species with particular reference to cyclopropane and cyclopropene acids

Abstract

The oil content of sixAdansonia species (Bombacaceae family) of Madagascar (Adansonia grandidieri, A. za, A. digitata, A. fony, A. madagascariensis andA. suarenzensis) and Africa (A. digitata) ranges from 8 to 46%. All the oils give a positive response to the Halphen test. Malvalic, sterculic and dihydrosterculic acids were detected using gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS). Epoxy or hydroxy fatty acids were not found in these oils. Fatty acid composition was determined by GLC using glass capillary columns coated with BDS and Carbowax 20 M. Results obtained for cyclopropenic fatty acids (CPEFA) were compared to those given by glass capillary GLC after derivatization with silver nitrate in methanol, by hydrogen bromide titration and by proton magnetic resonance (PMR). Good agreement was observed for the results given by the various methods. Malvalic acid content ranges from 3 to 28%, sterculic acid from 1 to 8% and dihydrosterculic acid from 1.5 to 5.1%. Odd-numbered fatty acids (Pentadecanoic and hepatadecanoic) were also observed in minute amounts (0.1-1.1%). Among the normal fatty acids, we observed mainly palmitic (21-46%), oleic (15-40%) and linoleic (12-32%). The relationship between fatty acid composition andAdansonia species is discussed.

Chemical and Nutrient Analysis of Baobab (Adansonia digitata) Fruit and Seed Protein Solubility

“…The major fatty acid is oleic, which comprises 35.8%, followed by linoleic (30.7%) and palmitic (24.2%). These results were similar to those for African baobab oils [13,27,15].…”

“…The protein content of the seed was higher than that of baobab seed from northeastern Nigeria [13], but lower than that from Burkina Faso [14]. The seed oil content was similar to that of baobab seed oil from Madagascar [15], but lower than that from Nigeria [13]. These differences can be attributed to soil, climate, and strain.…”

Nutritional Composition of Some Wild Plant Foods and Honey Used by Hadza Foragers of Tanzania

“…Even though the energy levels we report are low compared with the majority of those published previously, it is clear that baobab seed #our is an important source of energy (see also Ralaimanarivo et al, 1982) as well as protein for the Hadza. It is signi"cantly higher in total protein than are local agricultural plants like sorghum (11.4% protein), millet (11.9% protein), and manioc (0.9% protein) (Glew et al, 1997).…”

Les Sphingidae, probables pollinisateurs des baobabs malgaches

“…madagascan baobabs are divided into two groups according to the length of the male organ (anther and filament): Longitubae, A. za, A. rubrostipa, A. madagascariensis and A. perrieri Ces espèces caractéristiques des régions sèches ont un grand intérêt pour les populations locales comme source de matières premières (fibre, nourriture, pharmacopée…) (Ralaimanarivo et al, 1982 ;Chadare et al, 2009), mais aussi d'un point de vue symbolique ou écotouristique (Wickens, Lowe, 2008 ;Marie et al, 2009). Or la survie de ces arbres et des écosystèmes qui les abritent est directement ou indirectement menacée par les activités humaines : défores-tation, incendies, exploitation incontrôlée, changement climatique (Nicoll, Lagrand, 1989 ;Hannah et al, 2008).…”