Lipids in the seeds of wild grapes native to Japan: Vitis coignetiae and Vitis ficifolia var. ganebu

The seed oils of Vitis coignetiae (Coignetiae) and Vitis ficifolia var. ganebu (Ganebu) at véraison and the ripe stage were evaluated for their fatty acid composition, and the content and profiles of phytosterols and tocopherols/tocotrienols. The oil content in Coignetiae seeds at ripe was almost same as that in 'Merlot' and 'Muscat Bailey A' seeds. The oil content in Ganebu seeds was 73% of that in Coignetiae seeds. Although linoleic acid was >64% in 'Merlot', 'Muscat Bailey A' and Coignetiae in each developmental stage, that in Ganebu at véraison and at ripe was 46.6 and 50.3%, respectively. The stigmasterol content in Ganebu seed oil at ripe was >2.6× higher than in the other grapes. The content and composition of tocopherols/tocotrienols in Coignetiae seed oil were similar to those in 'Merlot.' Although the total tocopherol/tocotrienol levels of Ganebu at ripe showed no significant differences compared with levels in the other grapes, the α-tocopherol level was >3.3× higher than in the other grapes. Our data suggest that Coignetiae is a common source of grape seed oil, but Ganebu may be a peculiar source of grape seed oil.