Abstract
The oil contents and the composition of fatty acids and tocopherols of sixteen samples from Salvia columbariae collected in Arizona were investigated. The samples are characterised by high oil content ranging from 19.2 to 36.5 g/100 g with α-linolenic acid as main fatty acid (59.4 to 65.7 g/100 g). The seeds contain linoleic acid (15.9 to 20.9 g/100 g) and oleic acid (8.5 to 10.7 g/100 g) as well as palmitic and stearic acid in remarkable amounts. The 18:3/18:2 ratio could be an interesting chemotaxonomic feature to differentiate S. columbariae from other members of the genus Salvia. The content of vitamin E active compounds ranged from 82.8 to 536.5 mg/kg, mainly dominated by γ-tocopherol. From the composition of fatty acids and vitamin E active compounds, it can be suggested that seeds and seed oil from S. columbariae may constitute high-value products for healthy nutrition.