Fatty acid profiles from forty-nine plant species that are potential new sources of gamma-linolenic acid

Forty-nine plant species from Spain, belonging to the Boraginaceae, Scrophu lariaceae, Onagraceae, and Ranunculaceae families, were surveyed in a searc h of new sources of gamma -linolenic acid (18:3 omega6, CLA). Fatty acid pr ofiles from seeds, stems, roots, flowers and leaves were determined. GLA wa s detected mainly in seed and root tissues. High GLA amounts were found in seeds of Boraginaceae species, with a maximum of 20.25% of total fatty acid s in Myosotis nemorosa. Within the Scrophulariaceae the highest GLA content (10.17%) was found in Scrophularia sciophila. Variable amounts of stearido nic acid, (18:4 omega3, SDA) were present in Boraginaceae species, ranging from 0.08% of total seed fatty acids in Anchusa azurea to 21.06% in Echium asperrimum. SDA was also very abundant in all organs of Asperugo procumbens . A multivariate analysis was performed using our results and those reporte d for other plant species belonging to the same families in order to invest igate a possible correlation between the fatty acid profile and the genera within these families.