Lipid composition of lesser known tropical seeds.

The lipid content and fatty acid profiles of four lesser known tropical seeds, Piper guineense, Chrysophyllum albidum, Garcinia kola and Dennettia tripetala, were determined. The total lipid content (g/kg dry weight) ranged between 31.8 and 68.9. The ranges of values for neutral lipids, triacylglycerol of neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids were 17.3-58.0, 15.0-49.6, 3.0-7.2 and 3.7-11.2, respectively. The fatty acid profiles showed variation among different seeds. All the seeds contained substantial amounts of unsaturated fatty acids. Oleic and linoleic acids were the most abundant fatty acids. Dennettia tripetala and Piper guineense also contained moderate amounts of linolenic acid.