Investigation of seed fatty acid variations in Echium plantagineum L. (Boraginaceae) populations

E. plantagineum L. is a cosmopolit plant that grows in the coastal areas of our country and is also known as "Paterson's Curse" among the people. They are commonly found on coasts, fields and rocky slopes and are known for their hairy stems and pink-purple flowers. Although the seeds of the plant are small, previous studies have found that the seeds contain around 20% oil, and the fatty acid content of the seeds has been reported to be rich in GLA and SDA, which are unusual fatty acids. Within the scope of this study, it was aimed to examine the variations of these unusual fatty acids between populations. In the framework of this study, the fatty acid composition of E. plantagineum L. species collected from different locations were investigated. Soxhlet extraction was carried out using hexane as a solvent to obtain the seed oils. The total amount of oil in the seeds after extraction was determined in the range of 20-25%. Oil samples obtained from each location were examined in terms of 38 fatty acids in the GC device and among these fatty acids Palmitic acid (16:0), Stearic acid (18:0), Oleic acid (18:1n-9), Linoleic Acid (18:2n-6), γ-Linolenic acid (18:3n-3), α-Linolenic acid (18:3n-6) and Stearidonic acid (18:4n-3) were found to be the major fatty acids for the plant in question. According to the GC results, the amount of SDA in the seed oils was found to be in the range of 5.44-13.098%, and the amount of GLA in the range of 4.99-12.23%. In the results obtained, in the seeds of Echium plantagineum L. It has been observed that unsaturated fatty acids are more than saturated acids (SFA), PUFAs are more than MUFAs, omega-3 fatty acids can be found up to 2 times more than omega-6 fatty acids in the seeds of Echium plantagineum. As a result of all the examinations made on the amount of fatty acids in the seeds it was determined that the populations grown in İstanbul-Zeytinburnu, İstanbul-Yeşilköy, İstanbul-Soyak, İstanbul-Küçükçekmece and Tekirdağ-Ganos Mountain locations were the most productive populations. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and total antioxidant capacity were also investigated in seed oils. As a result of the investigations, it was observed that high concentrations of these phytochemicals were not observed in the seed oils, however, there was an increase in the amount of total phenolic substance and total flavonoid substance in the seed fatty acids of plants growing at high altitude. According to the data obtained within the scope of literature research and the thesis study, Echium plantagineum L. species contains unusual fatty acids SDA and GLA at a high level. And even if not at high levels, the seed oils have antioxidant properties, so they can be an alternative food resource to aquatic omega-3 and omega-6 sources.