Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize the chemical composition and radical scavenging activity of Canterbury bells (Campanula medium) seed oil. C medium seeds contained 9.2% extractable oil. The lipid classes, fatty acids, phytosterol and tocopherol composition of C medium seed oil were determined. The amount of neutral lipids in the oil was the highest, followed by glycolipids and phospholipids. Linoleic and oleic were the main fatty acids. C medium oil is characterized by high levels of phytosterols and beta-sitosterol was the main compound. beta-Tocopherol constituted 42.5% of the total tocopherol content followed by gamma-tocopherol. The radical scavenging activity (RSA) toward 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and galvinoxyl radicals of C medium oil were higher than those of extra virgin olive oil. The diverse potential uses of C medium oil may make this plant industrially important.