FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF THE FRUITS OF SYZYGIUM ZEYLANICUM (L.) DC. VAR. ZEYLANICUM

Abstract

Objective: Wild indigenous fruits are believed to be extremely nutritious, contributing a great deal to the general health of the tribal and rural population. To validate this claim, systematic studies are required to estimate their nutritional composition. The objective of the study was to analyze the fatty acid composition of Syzygium zeylanicum (L.) DC. var. zeylanicum.Methods: The fatty acid composition of S. zeylanicum var. zeylanicum fruits were analysed by GC-MS/MS.Results: The major fatty acids were cis-oleic acid (43.47±0.62 %) and linoleic acid (31.14±0.35%). Total monounsaturated fatty acids in the sample was 44.21%. Omega-6, omega-7 and omega-9 fatty acids were detected. The polyunsaturated fatty acids in thefruits were linoleic acid (31.14±0.35 %) and arachidonic acid (0.15±0.22 %), whereas 24.51 % of the total fatty acids were saturated. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids was approximately 3:1. The order of abundance of fatty acids, in some of the healthiest oils, viz. olive, canola, peanut oils is, Oleic acid>Linoleic acid>Palmitic acid>Stearic acid and the same order was observed in the present study.Conclusion: Fruits of S. zeylanicum var. zeylanicum too shows a healthy balance between unsaturated and saturated fats.