Habitat effects on yield, fatty acid composition and tocopherol contents of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) seed oils

In this study, oil yields, fatty acid composition and tocopherol contents of prickly pear seeds were determined. The oil contents of the seeds of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) varied from 5.0% (Ortaoren) to 14.4% (Eskioba). Palmitic acid contents of seed oils ranged between 10.6% (Mut) and 12.8% (Kepez). While seed oils contained 13.0% (Hatay-2) to 23.5% (Kepez) oleic acid, its linoleic contents ranged between 49.3% (Kepez) and 62.1% (Hatay-2). Also, stearic acid contents of oils were found at the levels between 3.3% (Kozan and Sevkiye) and 5.4% (Kepez). The tocopherol contents of prickly pear seed oils were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). beta-Tocopherol contents of oils ranged between 3.9% (Eskioba) and 50.0% (Adana centrum). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.