Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid Composition in Lagerstroemia lanceolata Seed Oil

 

O.G.Bhusnure1*, K.R.Alagawadi2 and P.S.Giram1

1Dept. of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Maharashtra College of Pharmacy, Nilanga- 413521, Dist. Latur (M.S.) India.

2Dept. of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, K.L.E. Society’s College of Pharmacy, J.N.M.C. Campous, Belgaum 5900010(K.S.) India.

ABSTRACT:

In this study, the physicochemical properties and fatty acid composition of Lagerstroemia lanceolata wall (Nana) was investigated. Oil from the seeds of Lagerstroemia lanceolata wall was extracted with light petroleum ether as solvent. The ether extract was evaluated for physico-chemical properties, specific gravity, oil colour, refractive index, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter, acid value and iodine value. The  fatty acid profile analysis of the oil was also carried out by Gas Liquid Chromatography(GLC), using two fatty acid methylating reagents, (trimethyl sulfonium hydroxide TMSH and sodium methylate). The stability of the oil was determined by induction period (IP) using (Rancimat test).The oil has five main fatty acids: Palmitic acid, Steric acid, Palmitolic acid , Oleic acid and Linoleic acid . Oleic acid (42.20%) is the primary component followed by Linoleic acid (24.80%), Palmitic acid (15.20%) and Stearic acid (6.10%). Oleic and linoleic acid are the principal component acids with (about 65% of the total fatty acids).  Palmitolic acid was as the minor constituent which amounted only 3.80 %.

 

KEYWORDS: Pt. ether extract, Oil, Physicochemical properties, Fatty acid Composition

 

INTRODUCTION:

The Lythraceae is a family of world-wide distribution, occurring primarily in subtropical and tropical areas. It is believed to have an Old World, warm-temperate origin, possibly in east Africa, and to have subsequently dispersed throughout the world1-2.Today the family is represented by a few moderate-sized genera and several, small, relic genera. The largest genus is Cuphea (ca 260 spp.), distantly followed by Diplusodon (ca 57 spp.), Lagerstroemia (53 spp.), Nesaea rca (50 spp.) and Rotala (44 spp.). The first two genera are New World, the last three are Old World, in distribution. The remaining genera average 16 species. Knowledge of seed lipid composition is thus complete or adequate for slightly more than half the genera surveyed. The common pattern of fatty acid composition in Lythraceae seed oils is the one common to most angiosperm seed oils. Linoleic acid is the primary component, and palmitic acid or oleic acid is frequently the secondary components to complete the pattern, a number of other fatty acids are found in amounts equaling less than 10% of the total 3.

 

 

Deviations from this composition in most of the Iythraceous, genera analyzed are apparently due to the more complete conversion of palmitic acid to the desaturated forms of oleic, linoleic and/or linolenic acids. This conversion occurs in a two step fashion, first by elongation from the 16:0 to the 18:0 form, then via a separate desaturation system in which oleic, linoleic, or linolenic acids may be formed consecutively from the stearic acid precursor 4.

 

The Lagerstroemia lanceolata wall species,belonging to the family Lythraceae, has been used in the treatment of Asthma, Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic Bronchitis, cold, cough and local application for aphthae of the mouth5. Seeds have been documented for its multiple pharmacological activities including narcotic principal6. The leaves were also evaluated for potent, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities in the rat7. Literature revealed that Steroids, Terpenoids, Alkaloids, Antocyanins Ellagic acid and tannins, are the major components in the seeds8. There is no study about the fatty acid composition of seeds of Lagerstroemia lanceolata species. The present study was planned to explore to determine some Physical and chemical properties as well as the fatty acid composition of (which could be used in determining the quality of the oil) oil obtained from the Lagerstroemia lanceolata seed .

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Plant materials

The fully mature Lagerstroemia lanceolata wall seeds (Fig.no.1) were collected from  various parts of Belgaum city in the state Karnataka, India and the seed was identified and authenticated by Dr. Salimath P., Asst. Prof. Dept. of Botany, R. L. Science  College, Belgaum, India. The voucher specimen (KL 469) was deposited in the K.L.E. Society’s College herbarium. 

 

Figure 1. Seeds of Lagerstroemia lanceolata wall

 

Chemicals

All chemicals used were of analytical grade and were products of S.D. Fine-Chem Ltd. Mumbai, India.

 

Oil Extraction

Sample of dried Lagerstroemia lanceolata seeds were collected manually and stored at room temperature for two weeks then carried directly for determination of oil characteristics and composition. The seeds were, crushed; ground by a lab mortar and solvent extraction method was used. Oils from the seeds of Lagerstroemia lanceolata wall was extracted by continuous extraction in Soxhlet apparatus (Cehmglass) for 48 hr using light Petroleum ether (b.p 40-60o C) as solvent according to the method9 described (AOAC, 1980). At the end of the extraction the extraction solvent was evaporated in a rotary evaporator. The extracted oil was used for feed formulation and the remaining stored in light proof, airtight and moisture proof container at -4 o C for further analysis.

 

Physicochemical properties analysis

The physicochemical indices acid, iodine, peroxide and   saponification values carried out according to the methods describe (AOAC, 1980).

 

Fatty acid determination

The fatty acid composition of seed oil was determined by esterification with sodium methylate and trimethyl sulfonium hydroxide TMSH8 and analysis by gas chromatography of the methyl esters. The analyses were carried out with Shimadzu, model 17A/FID gas chromatograph, equipped with flame ionization detector, ADB – WAXTER column (30m x 0.25 mm), temperature programme 80oC/5 minutes, 5.5oC/min, 230oC/4min, 2.5oC/min and 240oC/10 min; injection temperature was 250oC, detector temperature was 260oC the carrier gas was H2, with flow rate of 1.4 ml/min, and split ratio 1:100. Peak identification was performed by comparing the retention times of the authentic standards.

                                                                      

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:

Oil content: The oil was extracted from powdered seed material in a Soxhlet apparatus with light petroleum ether (40–60°C) for about 48 h and the solvent was removed in rotary vacuum evaporator (Buchi, Switzerland). The yield of the oil from Lagerstroemia lanceolata seeds was obtained about 20%, this could be due to some advantages obtained from the soxhlet extraction method.

 

Physicochemical properties

After the purification processes, the oil obtained shows brown yellowish in color and remained liquid at room temperature. Table 1 presents the data on some physical and physicochemical properties of Lagerstroemia lanceolata seed oil. The average value of free fatty acid was expressed as % of oleic acid. The Lagerstroemia lanceolata seed oil obtained shows high free fatty acid value (15.35 %). The iodine value of the oil is quite high, and lies within the values of semi-drying and highly unsaturated oil.

 

Table No.1  Physicochemical properties of Lagerstroemia lanceolata Seed oil.

Sr. No.

Parameters

Value

01

Acid value (mg KOH g-1 )

07.60

02

Iodine value (mg iodine g-2)

85.00

03

Peroxide value

8.30

04

Saponification value (mg KOH g-1 )

205.10

05

Unsaponifiable matter

0.9114

05

Colour

brown yellowish

06

Specific gravity

0.8168

07

Refractive index

1.6252

 

Fatty acid composition (FAC)

The unsaturated fatty acids were predominant in all oils as confirmed by the iodine value test (90). However, the oleic acid was the main fatty acid in the present study. Oleic and linoleic acids are the major fatty acids in oil. The monounsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid have great importance because of their nutritional implication and effect on oxidative stability of oils 10.

 

The FAME composition of the oils is shown in Table 2. Five fatty acids were identified in the seed oils. Individual percentages of each fatty acid are given in Table 2. The saturated fatty acids in the oils are palmitic, stearic and palmitolic acid; however palmitic acid was the major saturated fatty acid constituent detected in higher amount (15.20%). Stearic acid was detected in lower amount in the seed oil only (6.10 %).

 

Table No.2 Fatty acid composition (% of Methyl fatty acids )of Lagerstroemia lanceolata oil.

 

Sr. No.

Fatty Acid

Composition  ( % )

01

Linoleic Acid

24.80

02

Oleic acid

42.20

03

Stearic acid

6.10

04

Palmitic acid

15.20

05

Palmitolic acid

3.80

 

 

The fatty acid compositions of seed oil and other edible oils are presented in Table 2. The results showed that Lagerstroemia lanceolata seed oil contains linoleic (24.80%), palmitic (15.20%) and oleic C18:1 (42.20%) acids as major fatty acid. Unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids account for more than 67 % of total fatty acids. This explains the oiliness of the Lagerstroemia lanceolata seed oil where it stays in a liquid form at room temperature. Saturated fatty acids on the other hand, account for approximately 33 % of total fatty acids.

                                                          

CONCLUSION:

Based on our study, the seeds of Lagerstroemia lanceolata are good sources of oil. The oils have similar but not identical fatty acid composition and contain a many amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Better knowledge on the composition properties of the seeds would assist in efforts to achieve industrial application of these plants. The data on chemical composition of the fruits should be useful for educational purposes and for compiling local food composition tables.

 

Fatty acid results showed that Lathyrus species contains linoleic–palmitic and oleic type FA patterns. Since the FA patterns of Lathyrus seed oils showed a remarkable uniformity in terms of their high content of the oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids. Oils rich in oleic and linoleic acids. The higher linoleic-acid proportion of this oil allows it to be used as a nutraceutic agent and particular interest in the fight against atherosclerosis. Oleic acid lowers the risk of a heart attack, arteriosclerosis, and aids in cancer prevention.

                                                 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

The authors are grateful to the Principal, K.L.E. Society College of Pharmacy, Belgaum, India for providing the general facilities required for this work. They also wish to thank Dr. K. R. Alagawadi, Asst. Prof., Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry, K.L.E. Society college of Pharmacy, Belgaum, India. The technical assistance of all associated with this study is also acknowledged.

 

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7.       Shorland F. B., Chern/cal Plant Taxonomy,. Academic Press. Edn 3rd New Yorlk, 1963:253.

8.       Stumpf. P. K., Tevini M., Uchtenthaler. H. K, 19nl in lipidS and Lipid Polymers in Higher Plams, Springer, Berlin, 1975: 75.

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Received on 05.04.2010

Accepted on 31.05.2010     

© A&V Publication all right reserved

Research J. Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics. 2(3): May-June 2010, 252-254