Fatty acid composition of three medicinal plants from Bahrain: New potential sources of γ-linolenic acid and dihomo-γ-linolenic

In the present study we identified the fatty acids (FA) profile of three medicinal plant species from Bahrain, Asphodelus tenuifolius, Aizoon canariense, and Emex spinosus as a new source of some important essential fatty acids. Fatty acids extracted from plant species are considered as popular ingredients in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The fatty acid composition varied among species studied. Lauric acid (12:0) was the major saturated fatty acid in all species studied (146.4–176.7 mg/g dry wt.), while α-linolenic (18:3n3) (105.0–196.3 mg/g dry wt.) and eicosatrienoic (20:3n3) acids (143.2–183.6 mg/g dry wt.) were the major polyunsaturated fatty acids. The polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acids detected in all plants studied (168.8–307.8 mg/g dry wt.) are well known for their role in the prevention of coronary heart disease. The fatty acid γ-linolenic acid (18:3n6, GLA) was only detected in A. canariense in noticeably high quantity in plant leaves (93.8 ± 6.2 mg/g dry wt.), whereas tearidonic acid (18:4n3) was detected in all species but it was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in A. canariense (63.9 ± 3.9 mg/g dry wt.) compared to A. tenuifolius (10.7 ± 0.8 mg/g dry wt.) and E. spinosus (11.6 ± 1.8 mg/g dry wt.). The lowest omega 6 to omega 3 ratio was found in E. spinosus (0.83), while the highest ratio was found in A. canariense (2.22). Therefore, A. canariense can be considered as a promising new source of GLA that could be useful in treating many diseases and/or cosmetic applications.

► First study on the fatty acids contents of wild medicinal plants from Bahrain.
► All plants studied have a high percentage of α-linolenic acid.
► Aizoon canariense can be considered as a promising new source of GLA.
► Stearidonic acid, of commercial interest was detected in Aizoon canariense.
► Dihomo-γ-linolenic represented 14–18% of total fatty acids in all plants.
► Plants studied can be used as dietary sources of unsaturated fatty acids for animals.