Abstract

Suaeda aralocaspica, a desert annual halophyte in the family Chenopodiaceae, produces two morphologically distinct types of seeds on the same plant. The two types of seeds were separated and analysed for oil content and fatty acid composition in order to evaluate and compare their potential as a source of edible oil. No significant differences in the oil content and statistically significant differences in fatty acid composition were found between dimorphic seeds. Seed oil content of this species was > 29% on a dry weight basis. Both types of seeds contain ca. 93% unsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic (> 68%) and oleic acid (> 20%) being the most abundant. High seed oil content and significant percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids make S. aralocaspica a promising halophyte as a source of high-quality edible oil.

Key words: Linoleic, seed oil, Suaeda aralocaspica, unsaturated fatty acid.