GAMMA-LINOLENIC ACID IN ANEMONE SPP SEED LIPIDS

Gamma-Linolenic acid containing oils have been found in seed lipids of a number of plants, but are restricted to certain genera and families, eg., the Boraginaceae. Some of these oils have found considerable interest for pharmaceutical and dietary use, e.g., borage oil and evening primrose oil in treatment of essential fatty acid and DELTA6 desaturase deficiency. Our investigation of the seed lipids of certain Mongolian and other Ranunculaceae has now shown the presence of unusual fatty acids, including considerable amounts (up to 20%) of gamma-linolenic acid in certain species of Anemone, whereas this acid was found to be absent in other species of Anemone. A number of other unusual fatty acids are present in A. rivularis but have not yet been identified. The significance of the presence of gamma-linolenic acid, a DELTA6 acid, is discussed in relation to DELTA5 fatty acids that had been reported to occur in the same plant family.