The fatty acid composition of <i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i> seed oil

Abstract

Abstract Analysis of Hibiscus sabdariffa seed oil from different seed collections (or cultivars), representing different growing areas, showed differences in the fatty acid pattern, especially with respect to linoleic (30.1‐37.45%) and epoxyoleic (trace to 5.3%). The results showed different values from those previously reported for the cyclopropenoid fatty acid, found to be malvalic acid (0.4‐2.0%), responsible for the positive Halphen response of the oil. It is now also established that the oil contains dihydrosterculic acid (1.0‐1.6%) which has been reported previously in other species of the genus Hibiscus. The results of the rest of fatty acids showed ranges for myristic 0.2‐0.5%, palmitic 17.4‐22.6%, stearic 3.9‐5.2% and oleic acid 34.6‐39.8%.