Quantification and Compositional Diversity of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters Profile in <i>Nigella sativa</i> L. Germplasm

Abstract

Abstract Nigella sativa L. is an annual underutilized crop of enormous significance, it contains more than 100 bioactive constituents having both pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Nigella sativa L. germplasm consisting of 32 genotypes was quantified for palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic and linolenic acid and results obtained varied in percentage. Lipid extracted by chloroform methanol 2:1 (24–37 %) was higher compared to n ‐hexane (18–35 %) and chloroform methanol 1:3 (18–34 %). Extraction with solvent chloroform methanol 2:1 yielded a higher quantity of oil contents, hence recommended. The polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher than monounsaturated fatty acids. Stearic and palmitic acids were positively correlated as were stearic and linoleic acids. It is inferred that breeding for increased stearic acid, linolenic acid and reduced palmitic acid can be achieved through modern breeding methods. The genotypes rich in oil and oleic‐linoleic acid, viz., Pk‐020545, Pk‐020576, Pk‐020609, Pk‐020620, Pk‐020654, Pk‐020699, Pk‐020720, Pk‐020780, Pk‐020874 and Pk‐020878, have been suggested for crop improvement programs and could augment the supply of edible oil as well as a biofuel substitute with large scale cultivation.