Impact of Electron Beam Irradiation on Fatty Acid Profile of Canavalia Seeds

Abstract

The present study provided an evidence for selective changes of the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) of Canavalia seeds and the low doses of electron beam irradiation (EBI; 2.5 and 5 kGy) serve as hormetic doses for selective enhancement of fatty acids. The total lipids and FAMEs of irradiated Canavalia cathartica and Canavalia maritima seeds of the coastal sand dunes of Southwest India were assessed using soxhlet extraction and chloroform–methanol–water extraction (Bligh and Dyer) methods followed by gas chromatography. As the EBI dose increased, total lipid extraction decreased by soxhlet method in seeds of C. cathartica, while it was reverse in C. maritima. Among the doses, 5 and 10 kGy resulted in the highest extraction of lipid by the Bligh and Dyer method in C. maritima and C. cathartica, respectively. A great variation in FAMEs profile of Canavalia seeds subjected to EBI was seen by the soxhlet and Bligh and Dyer methods of extraction. The EBI increased saturated fatty acids in both the seeds. The unsaturated fatty acids were decreased by EBI based on the soxhlet extraction (except for 15 kGy in C. maritima), while a dose-dependent increase was shown by the Bligh and Dyer method on attaining the highest at the doses 5 kGy (C. maritima) and 10 kGy (C. cathartica). The changes in medium chain fatty acids, long chain saturated fatty acids, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and ratios of fatty acids were dependent on the seed material, the dose EBI, and the method of extraction.