Content of Higher Fatty Acids in Green Vegetables

R. Vidrih, S. Filip and J. Hribar
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R. Vidrih: Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1111 Ljubljana, Slovenia
S. Filip: Pekarna Pečjak, d.o.o., SI-1291 Škofljica, Slovenia, *E-mail: rajko.vidrih@bf.uni-lj.si
J. Hribar: Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1111 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Czech Journal of Food Sciences, 2009, vol. 27, issue SpecialIssue1, S125-S129

Abstract: Green vegetables are considered an important source of some nutritionally important constituents that have health benefits (e.g. vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre). Epidemiological data suggest that consuming a diet rich in fruit and vegetables can lower the risks for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Over the past 100-150 years, there have been enormous increases in the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids due to the increased intake of vegetable oils from various seeds. Studies have indicated that a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids shifts the physiological state to one that is prothrombotic and pro-aggregatory, whereas omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, anti-arrhythmic, hypolipidemic and vasodilatory properties. Literature data regarding the contents of higher fatty acids (e.g. omega-6 fatty acids) in vegetables are scarce, although vegetables are known to contain a high proportion of n-3 fatty acids. Here, the fatty acid content and composition was determined for 26 green vegetables that are commonly available in Slovenia, by gas-liquid chromatography and in situ transesterification. The fatty acid analysis revealed C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3. The total fatty acid content in the vegetables ranged from 500 mg/100 g fresh weight (f.w.) in red cabbage, to 4.000 mg/100 g f.w. in tarragon. The proportion of saturated fatty acids (as g/100 g total fatty acids) ranged from 12% to 35%. All of the vegetables contained a high proportion of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), ranging from 45% to 81% of total fatty acids. The omega-3 PUFA proportion ranged from 5% in carrot to 60% in tarragon. The content of mono-unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 1% to 25%. French beans, tarragon and radish sprouts contained the highest concentrations of C16:1, at 5 mg/100 g f.w. Consumption of 100 g of tarragon meets 13.2% of daily requirements for α-linolenic acid; similarly, for radish sprouts 9.4%, for mangold 6.9%, for ruccola 5.4%, for green salad 5.0%, and for kale 4.7%. Green vegetables are an important source of 18:3n-3 PUFAs, especially for vegetarian populations.

Keywords: higher fatty acids; green vegetables; gas-liquid chromatography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlcjf:v:27:y:2009:i:specialissue1:id:621-cjfs

DOI: 10.17221/621-CJFS

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