Total oil content and the composition of fatty acids were analyzed in the acorns of 16 Quercus taxa from Turkey. The range of total fat varied between 0.7 and 7.4%. Oleic (10.2-54.4%), linoleic (24.2-49.1%), palmitic (13.4-30.4%), alpha linolenic (1.5-8.6%) and stearic acid (1.5-4.5%) were major fatty acids for all taxa. Significantly differences at section level were found (p < 0.05) for palmitic, stearic and oleic acid concentration. Saturated (17.0-38.6%), mono unsaturated (11.0-55.5%) and unsaturated fatty acids (57.4-81.6%) in total oil were also significantly different between section Quercus, Cerris and Ilex (p < 0.05). In addition, sectional differences were significant (p < 0.02) for the relative concentrations of saturated fatty acids compared to mono, poly and total unsaturated fatty acids. Considerable variation of individual fatty acid levels were observed in related species and varieties. The species from section Ilex Loudon exhibited the highest levels of saturated fatty acid while the lowest levels were found in Q. brantii, Q. libani and Q. trojana from section Cerris Loudon. These species also had the highest levels of unsaturated fatty acids. Whereas the lowest values were detected in the species of section Ilex. Both varieties of Q. cerris showed significant differences (p < 0.05) from the other species in section Cerris for all parameters, except for stearic acid and exhibited little variations among their individual populations. Different concentrations of fatty acids may be useful biochemical markers for the characterization of Quercus at the infrageneric level. Interesting ratios of linoleic:a-linolenic acid especially in Q. robur ssp. robur, Q. hartwissiana, Q. vulcanica, Q. ithaburensis ssp. macrolepis and Q. libani also were detected with respect to dietary reference for fatty acid intake.

Total protein content and level of 14 amino acid in mature acorns of 20 Quercus taxa from Turkey were studied. The range of total protein amounts between 2.75 and 8.44% were detected among taxa. Similar values in related species and variety level were observed. The amino acid profiles for each taxon were characteristically different and high variability of individual amino acid concentration was present at variety, subspecies and species levels. Different amino acid concentrations, relative percentages and critical values of some amino acids are thought to be additional considerable parameters for diagnosis of Quercus. Generally higher total quantity of amino acids in section Quercus and lower values in section Ilex were observed. When the essential and non-essential amino acids are expressed as a relative percent of total protein indicating quality of proteins, the ratios varied significantly among taxa (p < 0.05). But, no significant difference at section level were detected. Major amino acids were aspartic acid and glutamic acid showing the largest variations and the lowest levels were detected for methionine. Amino acid concentrations ranged from 1665 for aspartic acid to 13 mg/100 g dry wt. for methionine. All taxa had relatively higher amounts of leucin, lysin and valine than other essential amino acids. The highest quantity of protein and amino acids was recorded for Q. infectoria ssp. boissieri and the lowest for Q. pontica. The level of all essential amino acids in examined taxa was not sufficient compared to FAO scoring pattern for children (1985). But, threonine and valine in Q. infectoria ssp. boissieri and isoleucine in Q. petraea ssp. iberica show remarkable concentrations to the requirements. All examined essential amino acids among taxa generally provide adequate levels for adults according to FAO standard.

Petal and fruit surface sculpturing are reported for seven endemic Bupleurum species in Turkey. Considerable differences in the dorsal surface of petals were observed, but major structural similarities were found in the ventral surface of petals. Significant taxonomic differences between species were determined on the surfaces of the fruits. These microstructural surface features are evaluated as possible consistent parameters in the delimitation of species of Bupleurum.

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Six species from sand dunes of northwest Turkey were investigated for their total seed oil lipid and fatty acid (FA) profiles. The total oil content ranged from 4.26 to 33.64% (Plantago scabra and Glaucium flavum, respectively). The major FAs were linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids (20.78-60.69%, 14.73-56.64, 5.42-15.13, and 1.65-3.67%, respectively). Considerable amounts of J-linolenic acid were found in Plantago scabra and Cionura erecta (13.13 and 1.37%, respectively). The unsaturated FA content ranged from 83.09% in Cardaria draba to 87.80% in Eryngium maritimum. Significant correlations between FA concentrations in these species were evaluated. These species, as alternative sources of unsaturated FAs, should be evaluated as novel salt-tolerant crops and used for improving salt tolerance of existing oilseed crops.