Abstract
We analysed the fatty acid (FA) composition of plant and fish oil supplements available in the Czech Republic. Total lipid FA composition was analysed by gas chromatography.
A total of 62 plant and 50 fish oil supplements were analysed. Their FA composition ranged widely.
Linoleic acid was a dominant FA in soya lecithin (45-60%), evening primrose (65-75%), amaranth (20-50%), pumpkin seed (45-55%), and borage oil supplements (40%). alpha-Linolenic acid ranged between 2% and 8% in soya lecithin and from 0.2% to 1% in the majority of the other plant oil supplements. Saw palmetto oil supplements were rich in saturated FA (40-90%). gamma-Linolenic acid was found in evening primrose and borage oil supplements (10-20%).
Sea buckthorn oil composition varied according to the part of the plant used. The majority of fish oil supplements contained 12-23% of eicosapentaenoic and 7-17% of docosahexaenoic acids.
Oil supplements may be beneficial for patients with metabolic disorders because of their FA as well as antioxidant and phytosterol content.