Twenty-eight Saudi Arabian common foods were analyzed for their fatty acid
contents by gas-liquid chromatography using capillary column. The predomina
nt fatty acids were oleic, palmitic, linoleic and stearic acids. The polyun
saturated to saturated fats ratio (P : S) as well as the n-3 : n-6 ratio we
re generally not compatible with recommended values. Assessment of C20 : 4
(n-6) content in those foods showed a noticeable variation ranging from 9 m
g/100 gm in beef sirloin to 256 mg/100 g in kannad fish. Eicosapentaenoic a
cid (C20 : 5) n-3 content was highest in kannad (925 mg/100 g). Applying C2
0 : 4 (n-6) values detemined in this work to Saudi Balanced Sheet, the mean
C20 : 4 (n-6) intake for a Saudian was estimated as - 115 mg/day.