Co-Authors:
Yaniv, Z., Dept. of Genetic Rsrc. and Seed Res., Institute of Field Crops, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Schafferman, D., Dept. of Genetic Rsrc. and Seed Res., Institute of Field Crops, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Shamir, I., Inst. Biochem., Food Sci. and Nutr., Fac. Agric., Food/Environ. Qual. S., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
Madar, Z., Inst. Biochem., Food Sci. and Nutr., Fac. Agric., Food/Environ. Qual. S., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
Abstract:
Seeds of Matthiola incana contain oil rich (55-65%) in (n-3) linolenic acid. Selected lines were developed and evaluated for their agronomic and chemical parameters. Extracted oil was fed for 6 weeks to rats, which were compared with rats fed a diet containing coconut oil or sunflower oil. Cholesterol levels were significantly lowest in rats fed diets rich in M. incana oil (27% reduction), and triglycerides were significantly lower in rats receiving either M. incana or sunflower oil (36% reduction). The contents of arachidonic acid and other (n-6) fatty acids were significantly the lowest in the liver and plasma of rats that had received M. incana oil. The levels of (n-3) fatty acids were significantly greater in both the liver and plasma of rats fed M. incana oil. The ratio of (n-3)/(n-6) long-chain fatty acids in the plasma was 7 times higher in rats fed with M. incana oil than in those fed with sunflower oil and 6 times higher than in those fed coconut oil. The results demonstrate for the first time a beneficial effect of dietary M. incana oil in reducing cholesterol levels and increasing (n-3) fatty acid levels in the plasma. This new, terrestrial plant source of (n-3) fatty acids could replace marine oils and thereby contribute beneficially to the human diet.