Gamma-linolenic Acid Levels of Native Species of Evening Primrose (Oenothera)

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an essential fatty acid that serves as a precursor for prostaglandin biosynthesis in humans. GLA was first extracted from the seed oils of evening primrose, and currently Oenothera biennis is the major commercial source of evening primrose oil. In this study, native species of the Onagraceae family occurring in semiarid regions of Texas were surveyed. Seeds from these native populations were collected and oil extracted for analyzation of fatty acid composition. Gamma-linolenic acid levels ranged from less than 1% to 8% and was species specific. GLA levels from field-grown plants from native seed were compared with GLA levels from corresponding native populations. Two species of native Oenothera were evaluated for relative levels of GLA over several harvest dates.

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Effects of Seed Treatments on Germination of Seed Collected from Native Populations of Oenothera

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.3.465d ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 465D-465

Author(s):

Sandra A. Balch ◽

Cynthia B. McKenney ◽

Dick L. Auld

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Seed Germination ◽

Linolenic Acid ◽

Native Species ◽

Gamma Linolenic Acid ◽

Seed Treatments ◽

Oenothera Biennis ◽

Evening Primrose ◽

Native Populations ◽

Commercial Source

Oenothera biennis, common evening primrose, is grown commercially for its seed, which contains high levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid with pharmaceutical and dietary importance. Other native species of Oenothera are being evaluated for the presence of GLA in their seed and their potential as a commercial source of GLA. Native evening primrose species have shown slow emergence and low germination percentages. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of chilling, scarification, and priming on germination of seed for six species of native evening primrose. Overall, seed germination was improved by seed treatments. However, responses to the various treatments differed among species.

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Gamolenic acid in atopic eczema: ▾ epogam

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin ◽

10.1136/dtb.28.18.69 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 28 (18) ◽

pp. 69-70

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Linoleic Acid ◽

Linolenic Acid ◽

Essential Fatty Acid ◽

Atopic Eczema ◽

Conventional Treatment ◽

Gamma Linolenic Acid ◽

Evening Primrose

Epogam capsules (Scotia) contain oil from the seed of the evening primrose which is rich in the essential fatty acid linoleic acid and its metabolite gamolenic (gamma-linolenic) acid. Epogam is licensed for use to relieve symptoms in atopic eczema, and is claimed to act at a fundamental metabolic level in this disease. Conventional treatment of eczema is often unsatisfactory, and any claim of an advance must be taken seriously. How well founded are the claims made for Epogam?

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Effect of transplanting date on the fatty acid composition, oil content and yield of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) seed

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps94-023 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

pp. 129-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robert C. Roy ◽

Peter H. White ◽

Alex F. More ◽

John G. Hendel ◽

Robert Pocs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid Composition ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Key Words ◽

Linolenic Acid ◽

Acid Content ◽

Oil Content ◽

Linolenic Acid Content ◽

Oenothera Biennis ◽

Evening Primrose ◽

One Year

The influence of transplanting time on the growth of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) was investigated for 3 yr. Delaying transplanting reduced the yield of seed in two of these years. The amount of oil in the seed was not influenced by time of transplanting, and only in one year did the γ-linolenic acid content of the oil decrease with delays in transplanting. Key words: Evening primrose, transplanting date, oil content, γ-linolenic acid

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