Determination of fatty acid, tocopherol and phytosterol contents of the oils of various poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) seeds

The fatty acid, tocopherol and sterol contents of the oils of several poppy seeds were investigated. The main fatty acids in poppy seed oils were linoleic (687.6-739.2 g kg(-1)), oleic (141.3-192.8 g kg(-1)) and palmitic (76.8-92.8 g kg(-1)). The oils contained an appreciable amount of gamma-tocopherol (195.37-280.85 mg kg(-1)), with a mean value of 261.31 mg kg(-1) and alpha(x-tocopherol (21.99-45.83 mg kg(-1)), with a mean value of 33.03 mg kg(-1). The concentrations of total sterol ranged from 1099.84 mg kg(-1) (K. pembe) to 4816.10 mg kg(-1) (2. sinif beyaz), with a mean value of 2916.20 mg kg(-1). The major sterols were beta-sitosterol, ranging from 663.91 to 3244.39 mg kg(-1); campesterol, ranging from 228.59 to 736.50 mg kg(-1); and Delta(5)-avenasterol, ranging from 103.90 to 425.02 mg kg(-1). The studied varieties of poppy seeds from Turkey were found to be a potential source of valuable oil.