Evaluation of fatty acid and mineral content of Tanzanian seeds and oils

• Published in: Journal of food composition and analysis Vol. 50; pp. 108 - 113
• Main Authors: Jumbe, Theresia J., Pickens, C. Austin, Valentini, Kelly, Adjepong, Mary, Li, Wei, Kinabo, Joyce L., Fenton, Jenifer I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Cucurbita pepo; Fatty acid; Food analysis; Food composition; Helianthus; Korie; Linoleic; Minerals; Palm oil; Pumpkin; Seed; Tanzania; EFA; LLOQ; RT; PKSY; Pumpkin; MUFA; KRO; Minerals; VLC; Food analysis; AOAC; BHT; RPO; Fatty acid; Food composition; GC; SFO; HPLC; WHO; Korie; AA; DSQ; OYN; PUFA; Tanzania; n–3; CCN; Palm oil; FAME; PKSN; n–6; LA; ALA; SIM; Seed; EPA; ICP; Linoleic; FA; DHA; GLA; GC/MS
• ISSN: 0889-1575; 1096-0481
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2016.05.016

•Fatty acids and micronutrients are required for growth and development.•The essential fatty acid content of local Tanzanian foods is poorly described.•Local oils are generally low in essential fatty acids except for sunflower oil.•Pumpkin seeds are a significant source of essential fatty acids and minerals. Fatty acids (FA) and micronutrients are required for normal growth and development. Deficiency in FA and micronutrients is prevalent in several African countries. The objective of this study was to determine mineral and FA composition of seeds and oils available to residents of Rudewa-Mbuyuni village in Tanzania. Samples were analyzed for FA and mineral composition by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy, respectively. Linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were higher in sunflower (Helianthus sp) oil, 252mg/g and 0.58mg/g, and pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo), 126mg/g and 0.17mg/g, respectively. Pumpkin seeds contained 9170mg/kg of potassium, 115mg/kg of iron and 62mg/kg of zinc, which are important cofactors for FA metabolism. Pumpkin seeds and sunflower oil are dietary sources of essential FA (EFA) that could be incorporated into Tanzanian diets, especially where there is a high prevalence of growth stunting, cognitive impairment, and EFA deficiency, such as in Rudewa-Mbuyuni. Since the sunflowers and pumpkin analyzed in this study are widely distributed throughout Africa, these data may be beneficial to various regions where EFA and mineral deficiencies are common.