Analysis of Fatty Acids of Some Hyoscyamus, Datura, and Atropa Species from Azerbaijan

Objectives: Datura stramonium L., D. stramonium var. tatula (L.) Torr., Hyoscyamus reticulatus L., H. niger L., and Atropa caucasica Kreyer naturally found in Azerbaijan and their seeds possess 17-35% of oils. This study aims to evaluate and determine fatty acids of these plants special to Azerbaijan climate and geography. The presented study is the first to research into fatty acids of A. caucasica, which is an endemic species of Caucasus. Materials and Methods: Fatty acid seed oils were derivatized to methyl esters and analyzed by gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector, compared with a standard mixture of 37 fatty acid methyl esters. Results: Linoleic (55-79%), oleic (11-26%), palmitic (4-12%), and stearic (2-3%) acids compose 97% of total fatty acids. Other minor compounds, including two trans-fatty acids, were determined in the samples. Significantly high concentration of a medicinally important polyunsaturated fatty acid, e.g. linoleic acid, was observed in all samples. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that these oils are particularly valuable sources of linoleic and oleic acids, which have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases and are important compounds for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in the manufacture of liposomes, nano-and microemulsions, soaps, etc.