γ‐Linolenic and Stearidonic Acids from Boraginaceae of Diverse Mediterranean Origin

Abstract

Thirty Boraginaceae species from different tribes were evaluated in a search of γ-linolenic (GLA, 18:3n-6) and stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n-3)-rich oils. The high GLA percentages were found in the seed oils of Symphytum bulbosum and S. tuberosum subsp. tuberosum (27.6 and 27.2 % of total fatty acids (FA)), which are unusually high values for GLA-oils in the current literature. On the whole seed, noticeable GLA percentages were found in S. grandiflorum, S. tuberosum subsp. tuberosum and Borago officinalis (7.43, 4.90, and 4.51 g/100 g, respectively). The main SDA-taxa detected in this study were Buglossoides arvensis, B. incrassata and Glandora oleifolia (21.3, 18.9, and 16.3 % of total fatty acids). On total seed weight, Glandora rosmarinifolia showed the highest SDA content (3.57 g/100 g). Finally, the higher FA contents were found in S. grandiflorum and Paramoltkia doerfleri seeds (35.2 and 37.0 g/100 g, respectively). Principal component analysis showed that similarities in FA profiles allow grouping species as botanical criteria for Boraginaceae tribes do, while the FA groupings confirm the metabolic activities of desaturase and elongase enzymes. Data on the FA composition of the seed oils analyzed here suggest their potential use as functional foods and can be considered as novel sources of SDA and GLA.

Promising Sources of Plant-Derived Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Narrative Review

“…Recent studies show that B.arvensis and Aegonychon purpurocaeruleum, both from the Boraginaceae family, display n3 PUFA concentrations of about 80% of the total fatty acids [295]. Ribes, belonging to the Grossulariaceae family, including the well-known blackcurrant (Ribes Nigrum), contain about 6% of SDA of total lipids content, and with an n6:n3 ratio of about 1 [296].…”

“…Recently, new spontaneous species of Boraginaceae rich in SDA have been identified, many of which are autochthonous of Albania, France, Spain and Italy (mainly in Sicily and Calabria) [295]. Some of these species may contain over 3 g of SDA per 100 g of seeds, and with an n6:n3 ratio of up to 0.3.…”