Fatty acid composition in Cuphea seed oils from brazil and nicaragua.

Seed oils of Cuphea are characterized by a diverse assemblage of fatty acid patterns emphasizing short- and medium-chain fatty acids. For this report, seed oils of 19 populations from 14 species were analyzed. Thirteen species are from Brazil and one from Nicaragua. Fatty acid compositions of oils of eight species are reported for the first time. Lauric acid predominates in 10 species, myristic acid in one, and linoleic acid in three. Small amounts of C20:0 and C20:1 are recorded in one species. The major fatty acid for each taxonomic section is consistent with that reported earlier as characteristic of the section. Seed oil compositions of species previously reported from North or Central American populations are comparable to those of the Brazilian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]