Investigation of seed fatty acid compositions of some Astragalus (Vetch)L. species

Investigation of Seed Fatty Acid Compositions of Some Astragalus (Vetch) L. SpeciesIn this study, the fatty acid contents of some Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) species collected from Elazığ vicinity were determined by GC techniques. The seed oils of Astragalus sp. (Astragalus decurrenss Boiss., Astragalus densifolius Lam, Astagalus oleifolius, Astragalus kurdicus, Astragalus macrocephalus Willd. subsp. finitimus) have contained linoleic (%29?44), oleic (%11-29) and linolenic acids (%19?37) as unsaturated fatty acids. Stearic, palmitic, margaric, behenic, lignoceric acids were also found as saturated fatty acids. Fatty acid composition of the studied Astragalus taxa showed uniform fatty acid profiles. Palmitic (8-17%) and stearic (2-4%) acids were the major saturated fatty acids in the seed oils. The amounts of unsaturated fatty acids were much higher than saturated fatty acids. The results from the fatty acids analysis of the Astragalus seed oils were dissuced in therms of nutrition and chemotaxonomic relationships within the Astragalus genus.Key words: Seed fatty acid, Astragalus, Fabaceae, Chemotaxonomy