Chapter 4 - Fatty Acid Content of Commonly Available Nuts and Seeds

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the composition and content of lipids and fatty acids in commonly available nuts and seeds worldwide. Nuts and seeds are good dietary sources of unsaturated fatty acids. Linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) are two essential fatty acids in humans and are precursors of C20 and C22 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). All the nuts, seeds, currants, and Santalum kernels contained a low level of saturated fatty acids and a high level of unsaturated fatty acids. A high content of 18:3n-3 was found in sativa, walnut, Ribes berries, and Ranunculaceae; variable levels of 18:3n-3 were also detected in the Scrophulariaceae, Onagraceae, and Boraginaceae plant families; and 18:4n-3 was detected in Ribes berries and Boraginaceae species. The Boraginaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Onagraceae, Ranunculaceae, and Ribes berries families contained relatively high levels of 18:3n-6. The substantial epidemiological evidence shows that fatty acids from seeds and nuts are associated with different health effects. All Santalum species contained significant amounts of ximenynic acid, especially S. obtusifolium, S. insulare, and S. album; the latter had the greatest quantity, at 82.8%.