Fatty acid composition of seeds of the papaveraceae and fumariaceae

Abstract

Fatty acids were analysed in the seeds of 40 species from 12 genera of the Papaveraceae and 14 species from four genera of the Fumariaceae. Linoleate was predominant in both families; however, its content was 11% greater on average in the Papaveraceae. With Papaver orientale and Corydalis cava intraspecific variability of fatty acid patterns of seed lipids was studied; no large differences between samples were encountered. Triacylglycerols were the dominant lipid class. Members of Papaveraceae show a higher triacylglycerol but lower free fatty acid content than members of Fumariaceae. © 1989.