Achene Fatty Acid Composition in the Tribe Anthemideae (Asteraceae)

Fatty acid composition of the achene of 44 taxa belonging to seven genera (Achillea, Anthemis, Artemisia, Glebionis, Matricaria, Tanacetum and Tripleurospermum) of the tribe Anthemideae (Asteraceae) from Turkey were analysed using gas chromatography. The presence of 16 fatty acids in the studied taxa was determined and quantified. The content of palmitic acid (C16: 0) was 11.34%-30.20%, of oleic acid (C18: 1) 4.17%-23.55, of linoleic acid (C18: 2) 27.39%-65.52% and of linolenic acid (C18: 3) 0.39%-21.53%. Total unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) in the achene varied greatly among the studied taxa. As averaged, the highest total MUFA was 12.99%, while UFA 69.39% and PUFA 56.41%. The ratio of UFA/SFA was between 1.03 and 5.70. Results are discussed in terms of nutritional importance of these species as potential candidates for inclusion in botanically designated pastures to contribute to improving milk quality.