Lipid content and fatty acid change in the developing silique wall of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

The present study describes changes in the lipid and fatty acid contents of developing silique wall of mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Initially, at 20 days after flowering (DAF), we observed a rapid accumulation of total lipids (75.8 mg/g dry weight [wt.]), comprising 51.4±0.66 and 23.7±0.12 mg/g dry wt. of polar and non-polar lipids, respectively. A gradual decline in lipids in the silique wall was observed until maturity. During seed development, the fatty acid profile of the silique wall varied significantly among all stages of maturity. Seed development resulted mainly in an increase in linoleic acid and a decrease in linolenic and palmitic acids. At full maturity, the main fatty acids present were linolenic (30.1±0.09%), linoleic (24.2±0.60%), palmitic (19.5±0.63%), oleic (16.8±0.66%), and stearic (8.1±0.38%) acids.