Fatty Acids, Tocopherols, Tocotrienols, Phytosterols, Carotenoids, and Squalene in Seed Oils of Hyptis suaveolens, Leonotis nepetifolia, and Ocimum sanctum

Abstract

AbstractThe oil yield and composition of fatty acids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, sterols, carotenoids, and squalene in the seeds of three species—Hyptis suaveolens, Leonotis nepetifolia, Ocimum sanctum—belonging to the Lamiaceae family, are studied. The oil yields are 12.1%, 16.1%, and 29.0% in O. sanctum, H. suaveolens, and L. nepetifolia, respectively. The unsaturated fatty acids are a predominant group (86.8–92.1%) in all three investigated plants; however, the profile for each species is unique. The main fatty acid differs as follows: H. suaveolens—linoleic acid (85.8%), L. nepetifolia—oleic acid (58.3%), and O. sanctum—α‐linolenic (48.6%). γ‐Tocopherol accounts for over 97%, 90%, and 93% of the total tocochromanol content (sum of tocopherols and tocotrienols) in H. suaveolens, L. nepetifolia, and O. sanctum, respectively. Two tocotrienol homologues, α and γ, are detected only in L. nepetifolia. β‐Sitosterol is the main detected sterol (38–59%) in all three species. High levels of campesterol (18–20%), Δ5‐stigmasterol (9–21%), and Δ5‐avenasterol (7–12%) are also detected. Squalene is detected only in O. sanctum (45.8 mg/100 g oil). The content of sterols, tocochromanols, and carotenoids in the investigated Lamiaceae plant seed oils ranges between 279.5–576.3, 54.5–66.7, and 0.3–3.1 mg/100 g oil, respectively.Practical Applications: Lamiaceae plants are of medicinal interest due to the presence of a broad spectrum of bioactive molecules. The present study demonstrates that seeds of the species H. suaveolens, L. nepetifolia, and O. sanctum are rich sources of bioactive compounds of lipophilic nature. There is limited knowledge associated with the composition of tocopherols, tocotrienols, sterols, carotenoids, and squalene. The results of the studied medicinal plants may enhance future targeted applications in various sectors.