Vidrih, R; Hribar, J; Sekse, L
Over the past 100-150 years, there has been considerable change in the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids due to the increased intake of vegetable oils from various seeds. Besides omega-3 fatty acids, nowadays special attention is given to conjugated fatty acids. Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids have anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, antiarrhythmic, hypolipidemic and vasodilatory properties. Conjugated fatty acids show similar health benefits like omega-3 but show also antitumor attributes. Literature data regarding the contents of conjugated fatty acids in fruit seeds are scarce, although some fruit seeds contain conjugated fatty acids. Seeds of three cherry cultivars (Lala Star, Starking Hardy Giant and Cristalina) grown in Slovenia and Norway were analysed for fatty acid contents and composition with special attention to conjugated fatty acids. On average, the seeds contained the following fatty acids: palmitic (7.2% to 8.5%), stearic (2.4% to 3.7%), oleic (29.2% to 42.5%), linoleic (37.4% to 50.7%), linolenic (0.12% to 0.33%), alpha-eleostearic (4.45% to 11.74%), and arachidic (0.84% to 1.39%). Cultivar showed a significant influence on the content of all fatty acids. Location had a significant influence on the content of stearic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidic and alpha-eleostearic acid. Norwegian cherry seeds contained significantly more alpha-eleostearic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids than Slovenian ones. Time of ripening (early, midseason or late cultivars) influenced the content of stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic and alpha-eleostearic acid. More alpha-eleostearic fatty acid was found in early cultivars compared to later ripening cultivars.