Leaf Lipids of Some Edible Plants from North-West Pakistan

The total lipid contents and distribution of fatty acids were determined in the leaves of 14 plant species, collected from north-west Pakistan. The amount of lipid, on fresh weight basis, varied from 0.26 +/- 0.02 to 0.78 +/- 0.06%. The principal saturated fatty acid among all of the species was palmitic acid (15.55 +/- 1.64 to 29.84 +/- 2.32%), while oleic acids 18:1 omega 9 (0.99 +/- 0.04 to 10.30 +/- 1.19%) was highest in monounsaturated series. The presence of cis-trans isomers of 18:1 omega 9 were demonstrated in Stellaria media. The major polyenoic acids were linoleic; 18:2 omega 6 (6.17 +/- 0.86 to 37.39 +/- 1.31%) and alpha linolenic; 18:3 omega 3 (12.16 +/- 1.89 to 45.60 +/- 2.80%) acids but their relative proportions varied. Most of the plant species were low with regard to their saturated/18:3 omega 3 while high in 18:3 omega 3/18:3 omega 6 ratios. The green leafy vegetables studied in the present work were found to be good sources of essential fatty acids and are thus better supplements of these acids for human and animal nutrition.