Investigation on potential of Suaeda fruticosa as a source of edible oil

Given the extent of saline lands in Iran, cultivation and utilization of halophytes and salt tolerant species under the condition that both water and soil are saline could be a viable option in production and extraction of vegetable oils from halophytes and salt tolerant species. Suaeda fruticosa is a leaf succulent perennial halophytic shrub which is highly salt Soil salinity in Iran . Suaeda fruticosa species belong to the Chenepodiaceae family, the second largest family in the world of plants kingdom. It is a leaf succulent perennial halophyte plant and large number of biomass. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of Suaeda fruticosa as a source of edible oil as well as qualitative and quantitative analysis of the oil. For this purpose, seeds of Suaeda fruticosa were collected from saline soils of Aran & Bidgol, Iran. The extraction of fatty acids was performed by solvent in Soxhlet method, and GC was used to analyze the fatty acids.The quantity of oil present was 6.61%. According to the results of seed oil analysis by gas chromatography, the seeds of S. fruticose contains 14 fatty acids as saturated fatty acids Butyric acid, Caproic acid, Caprylic acid, Capric, Lauricaci(, Myristic, Palmitic, Stearic, Arachidic acid and un-saturated fatty acid Myristic acid, Palmitoleic acid, Oleic acid, Linoleic, and γ -Linoleni (GLA). Our data clearly indicate that the seeds of halophyte Suaeda fruticosa could be used as a source of oil for human consumption.

Keywords:

Suaeda fruticosa , seed oil , fatty acid , saturated fatty acids , un-saturated fatty acid , saline soils