This paper describes the chemical composition of 17 oil samples obtained from cactus seeds collected from five different origins in Morocco, the major producer of cactus seed oil. The oil content of the samples varied in a relatively small range between 5.4 g/100 g and 9.9 g/100 g. The main fatty acids of cactus seed oil are oleic acid (20.5 g/100 g) and linoleic acid (62.3 g/100 g) representing 80-84% of the total fatty acids. The main component of the tocopherol fraction is gamma-tocopherol (83-90%). It is followed by alpha-and delta-tocopherol whereas beta-tocopherol is found in lower amount. In all samples beta-sitosterol was found as the main phytosterol (80.0% to 84.5%). This phytosterol is also typical for many other edible vegetable oil. This study, carried out on randomly selected samples, clearly demonstrates that origin does not have an effect on the chemical composition of cactus seed oil.
arrive le I mars 1999. accepte le 31 mars /999 Resume.-L'huile extraite des graines de Peganum harmala originaire du Maroc a ete etudiee pour sa composition en acides gras et en alcalo'ides a des fins pharmacologiques. Le chromatogramme par C.P.G. montre une predominance des acides gras insatures, respectivement l'acide linole'ique en quantites importantes suivi de l'acide ole'ique ; les acides gras satures tels que l'acide palmitique et l'acide stearique sont en quantites plus faibles. Les analyses de l'huile par C.C.M. et par C.L.H.P. montrent une grande richesse de celle-ci en alcalo'ides majeurs, notamment en harmaline, harmine, harmalol et harmol.
Muts-cles :Zygophyllaceae -Peganum harmala -huile -acides gras -alcalo'ides.A hstract.-In order to facilitate the pharmacological use of the plant, we thus decided to study the oil extracted from the seeds of Peganum harmala. The oil was extracted from the seeds using Sohxlet and the extract was analysed by gaz chromatography (G.C.) and thin layer chromatography (T.L.C.). The G.C. chromatograph (spectrum) revealed that insatured fatty acids are the major constituants of the oil where linoleic acid predomine oleic acid whereas, minor amounts of saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid and stearic acid were present. Analysis by T.L.C. and H.P.L.C. indicated that Peganum harmala oil is a rich source of the major alkaloids, especially harmaline, harmine, harmalol and harmol.Ker-u·ords : Zygophyllaceae-Peganum harmala-oil-fatty acids-alkaloids.
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