Oil and fatty acid profile of seeds of soybean cultivars and their relationship with biodiesel and feeding

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fatty acid profile in soybean cultivars from northeastern Brazil, materials developed primarily to achieve a minimum level of oil and protein. The purpose is to serve as to warn about the need to modify fatty acids profiles to enhance both the oil for human consumption and that used in biodiesel production. Results showed the predominance of linoleic acid (average 50.1%) followed by oleic acid (27.9%), palmitic acid (11.97%), linolenic acid (6.68%) and stearic acid (3.38%) in the composition of fatty acids. Such condition makes soybean oil less competitive for both human consumption (for its high content of saturated fatty acids) and the biodiesel industry (problems with oxidative stability and flow in the cold). Considerations are also made on conventional and modern techniques to overcome these drawbacks.