Tocopherol, fatty acid and phytosterol content in seeds of nine wild taxa of Sicilian Brassica (Cruciferae)

The purpose of this study was to determine tocopherol (Toc), fatty acid and phytosterol content in dry seeds of nine wild taxa of Sicilian Brassica sect. Brassica. Analyses were performed by gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectroscopy (MS). The biochemical analysis of dry seeds showed that in the nine taxa examined, α - and γ -Toc were the major isomers, δ - Toc was present in traces and β -Toc was never found. All taxa had a similar fatty acid composition with C 16:0 (357.2 mg kg − 1 DW), C 18:1 (393.94 mg kg − 1 DW) and C 22:1 (618.29 mg kg − 1 DW) acids present in higher amount. Unsaturated fatty acids (52.5–66.5%) were more abundant than saturated (33.5–47.5%) ones relative to the total f…