Investigation on fatty acids profile in two ecotypes of Iranian Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey

In this study, two important physical and chemical properties including percentage of total seed oil and fatty acid levels in two ecotypes of Iranian ox tongue flower (Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey.) collected from Kermanshah and Neka (Mazandaran province) were investigated. Oil extraction and identification of fatty acids were conducted by soxhelt system and Gas Chromatography (GC). All data were compared by statistical methods. Results showed that total oil percentage of (19.16 ± 0.31%) & (17.16 ± 0.26) were calculated for Kermanshah and Neka ecotypes, respectively. Also 8 types of fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, soxenic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic, gamma-linolenic and stearidonic acids were detected by GC. Soxenic acid and alpha-linolenic were respectively identified as the least (0.2±0.4%) and highest amount (46±48%) in each ecotype. The obtained data indicate that with regard to the nutritional values of essential fatty acids in seed oil, Iranian ox tongue flower has a good potential for producing nutritional supplements of essential fatty acids i-e., omega3 and omega6. According to the results of the study, obtained data from the current study could be applied as a reference in selection of suitable breeding methods to improve oil quality and quantity of Iranian ox tongue flower.