Analysis of oilseed of Halophytic species: Atriplex griffithii, Haloxylon ammodendron, Salicornia europaea, Salsola yazdiana

Seeds of Atriplex griffithii, Haloxylon ammodendron, Salicornia europaea and Salsola yazdiana were analyzed to determine their potential as sources of edible oil. The quantity of total oil varied from 13.8% in Atriplex griffithii to 20.9% in H. ammodendron. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids were higher (62-73.8%), with the highest values of α-linoleic acid (18.6%), linoleic acid (28.6%) and oleic acid (19.7%) in the seeds of A. griffithii, H. ammodendron and S. europaea, respectively. Results of physicochemical evaluation of the extracted oils ranged as follows: iodine values, 99.8-106.5 (g I2/100 g); saponification value, 188-283 (mg KOH/1g of oil); peroxide value, 9-13 (meq/kg) and refractive index, 1.4750- 1.4761. Amongst these oilseeds, S. europaea (containing 73.8% unsaturated fatty acids but not erucic acid) was the highest in quality for human consumption followed by H. ammodendron.