Lipid Structure of Lallemantia Seed Oil: A Potential Source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Nutritional Supplements

The lipid composition of the seed oil of three varieties (L-74, VIR-11 and BGR-455) of Lallemantia iberica Fisch. & Mey. (Lamiaceae) harvested in Bulgaria was examined in detail. Triacylglycerols (TAG >90%), phospholipids ( 90%) in the tocopherol fraction. Palmitic acid (16:0) was the major fatty acid of the phospholipids and oleic acid (cis 9-18:1) dominated in the sterol ester fraction. The three varieties have similar lipid compositions with BGR-455 being slightly more saturated. Due to its composition, Lallemantia oil might compete successfully with flax and other plant oils as a source of linolenic fatty acid in industrial and dietary applications.