Lipid composition of flax seed oil

Abstract

The composition of seven varieties of flax seeds was investigated. 34.2 - 44.4% wt vegetable oil in the seeds was found to be. Fatty acids composition of the triacylglycerols was determined by capillary gas chromatography. Linolenic (35.3 - 42.0%) and linoleic (14.9 - 19.0 %) acids are the main unsaturated fatty acids. Palmitic acid (8.7 - 12.1%) predominated in fraction of saturated acids, followed by stearic acid. The quantity of tocopherols determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection was 602 - 788 mg/kg. Phospholipids were isolated by column chromatography and quantifiated spectrophotometrically at 700 nm. Their percentages in the oil were found to be 0.1 - 1.0% wt. Total sterol content determined by gas chromatography was 0.2-0.4%.