Variation in oil content and fatty acid composition in preselected argan trees with morphological characters and geographical localization

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the variability of yield and fatty acid composition of argan seed oil (Argania spinosa L.) in four provenances, and to find the relationship between fatty acid composition and environmental conditions. Twenty genotypes were preselected and evaluated for fatty acids composition during 3 years (2008–2010). The oil was extracted by a Soxhlet and the fatty acids composition was determined using gas chromatography. The results revealed a variation in seed oil content (51.83–57.50 %). Total saturated fatty acids content (C14:0; C16:0; C18:0; C20:0) ranged from 19.53 to 20.29 %, with lower content in Had Dra and Biougra than other provenances. However, the concentration of total unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 79.56 to 80.29 %, with a higher percentage of monounsaturated fatty acid (C16:1; C18:1; C20:1) (47.60 %) in Aoulouz and a higher percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acid (C18:2; C18:3) (35.53 %) in Biougra provenance. No correlation between oil content and fatty acid compositions with the morphological data (mother tree, fruit and seed forms) was found. The geographical localization and fatty acid content were not correlated with oil content. The study proved a significant contribution of environmental conditions to the variation in fatty acid composition. We conclude that there is a highly significant variation both in oil content and fatty acid composition in the argan provenances that can be used for its improvement.