Fatty Acid and Amino Acid Profiles in Some Dune Vegetation Species from Istanbul

Samet Taç,Tamer Özcan

doi:10.19113/sdufenbed.555767

Abstract

Dunes are one of the most dynamic ecosystems in the nature and they are considered as a special habitat type hosting valuable genetic resources. Dunes located in Turkey are very rich in terms of plant diversity. Istanbul has special place for the richness of endemic and rare species in its dune vegetations. Biochemical characteristics of some plant species growing in Istanbul dunes, which are under immense threat during the recent years have been examined in the present study. Seed samples and aerial parts of the plants have been analysed for fatty acid and amino acid compositions. The higher concentrations of α-linolenic acid were quantified in Euphorbia paralias (48.24%) and Diplotaxis tenuifolia (24.47%). Linoleic acid concentrations were detected at the higher levels in Xanthium strumarium (68.51%) and Otanthus maritimus (66.62%). Eryngium campestre (44.97%), Cyperus capitatus (44.27%) and Eryngium maritimum (41.88%) were found to have high oleic acid concentrations. 20,32% punicic acid was detected in Ecballium elaterium. The higher concentrations of some essential amino acids were observed in the seeds. Proline is the dominant amino acid in the aerial parts of all taxa examined. Significant correlations between amino acid concentrations were calculated. The data obtained in the present study reveal that regarding plants as novel crops can be efficient for utilization in biochemical and biotechnological applications in many fields such as human nutrition, health and other industrial purposes.

Highlights

Dunes are one of the most dynamic ecosystems in the nature and they are considered as a special habitat type hosting valuable genetic resources
Leymus racemosus subsp. sabulosus, monounsaturated in Eryngium campestre, poly-unsaturated in Ecballium elaterium and total unsaturated in Xanthium strumarium were observed at the highest levels
While the concentrations of aspartic acid are higher in Pancratium maritimum, Ecballium elaterium, Xanthium strumarium and Diplotaxis tenuifolia, it has been detected as low levels in the species Otanthus maritimus, Jurinea kilaea, Cyperus capitatus

Summary

Statistical analyses

Ecballium elaterium contain the highest punicic acid (C18:3n5) level (20.32%). The amount of total fatty acid (g/100g) in the seeds of taxa is the range from 1.67 to 38.01. In terms of the amount of total oil, the highest level was detected in seeds of Xanthium strumarium. Sabulosus, monounsaturated in Eryngium campestre, poly-unsaturated in Ecballium elaterium and total unsaturated in Xanthium strumarium were observed at the highest levels. While generally higher concentrations of palmitic, stearic, linoleic and oleic acid are common for all the species, some fatty acids are at higher levels for some species. Ecballium elaterium contains remarkable level of punicic acid. Erucic acid exhibits high concentration in Diplotaxis tenuifolia. Investigated taxa from different phylogenetic origins exhibite characteristic fatty acid profiles in the same edaphic conditions

Total protein and amino acid compositions in seeds and aerial parts

Findings

4.Discussion