The physicochemical properties and fatty acid composition of two new woody oil resources: Camellia hainanica seed oil and Camellia sinensis seed oil

Abstract

Woody plants are important source of edible oil, and Camellia hainanica and Camellia sinensis are two new option. The physicochemical properties and fatty acid composition were determined in both species. The oil content of C. hainanica was 37.60–41.60%, and that of C. sinensis was 31.04–33.20%. There were no significant differences in saponification value, refractive index or relative density (P > 0.05). The types of fatty acids were the same in both species, but the composition was significantly different (P < 0.01). Among the nine fatty acids measured, only the concentration of oleic acid was higher in C. hainanica oil than that C. sinensis oil. The contents of vitamin E and total phenols in C. hainanica oil were significantly higher than those in C. sinensis oil (P < 0.01). The higher unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, and total phenols, in C. hainanica give it a greater advantage.

Keywords

• camellia oil
• camellia hainanica
• camellia sinensis
• unsaturated fatty acids
• vitamin e