Variation of some seed oil components at altitidunal range in a widely distributed species, Echium italicum L. (Boraginaceae) from Turkey

Abstract

Different seed oil contents were analysed for E. italicum L. accessions distributed in different gride squares and altitudes for observation of the intraspecific spatial variations. High levels in total unsaturated fatty acid (85,90 and 86,67%) and low percents in saturated ones (10,3112,86%) were examined. Maximum level of α-linolenic acid (43,91%) was observed in the accession collected from 937 m (B3). As unusual fatty acids stearidonic and gamma linolenic acids were quantified at maximum levels with 13,72% at 377 m (A5) and 10,28% at 1200 m (B8) respectively. The higher values in linoleic and gamma linolenic acid as omega-6 series were detected in the accessions growing at higher altitudes, but the lower levels examined in α-linolenic and stearidonic acid as omega-3 series. Major components are β-sitosterol (53,31-59,86%), campesterol (24,80-34,72%) and Δ5-avenasterol (3,81-9,07%). Maximum total sterol amount (9960 mg/kg) was detected in A1 accession growing near sea level (21m). Minimum level (5003 mg/kg) was examined in C2(b) accession at 655m. α-tocopherol ranged from 0,40 in A5 (377 m) to 0,94 (mg/100g) in B8 (1200 m). High concentration similar with B8 accession was also detected in A1 accession (0,93 mg/100g) from near sea level (21 m). Obtained results contribute for determining the range of intraspecific variations of bioactive seed oil components of E. italicum L. on the altitudinal and environmental gradient, and utility its biomedical product potential as a new crop by means of selection of high yield genotypes for agricultural and biotechnological practices.