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M. longifolia (Sapotaceae) is a locally available plant in Sri Lanka which is valued for its seeds as a
source of edible oil. Past studies revealed that the quantity of oil in seed is over 50% of its weight, yet ;
this remains as an under-utilized source of oil. The aim of this study was to identify the variation in ‘
morphology of seeds, variation in fatty acid profile and in oil content of M. longifolia seeds from
different agro-ecological zones in Sri Lanka. Simultaneously, to determine the relationship of;dil
content and fatty acid profile with some geographical factors. Dried, fallen seeds were collected from . 1
randomly selected 16 plants (4 from each zone) representing four agro-ecological zones in Sri Lanka
based on the availability of plant. They were low country dry zone (LD), low country wet zone (LW),‘ ‘
low country intermediate zone (LI) and mid country intermediate zone (MI). The length, width and;
the weight of seeds were determined as morphological characteristics. Oil from seed kernel was;; •
extracted using Soxhlet method (AOAC, 1990) using n-Hexane (bp. 65-70° C). Fatty acid meth^J |;
esters were prepared and identified using GC-MS. Significant differences (P<0.05) were obseivei;:^
within agro-ecological zones on seed morphology (in terms of all 3 tested characteristics). Results;
ranged from 2.73-3.43 cm for length, 1.06-1.30 cm for width and 0.93-1.40 g for weight..Significant-,
differences were resulted (P<0.05) in oil content also (50.07-53.85%) among agro-ecological zones."
As the major fatty acids, Oleic, Stearic, Palmitic and Linoleic were resulted in all four agro-chmatic;;,;---:
zones. The total saturated fatty acid content (C18:0, C16:0, C14:0, C17:0, C19:0, C22:0, 024^0,? . ; j
C26:0, C20:0 and C8:0) varied from 40.87-47.20%. However the total unsaturated fatty acid content! ,
(C l6:1, C l8:1, C l8:2, C20:l) was observed in the range of 49.6-53.86% (TMXJFA+TPUFA).^Tt^^;;.
highest total fatty acid content was recorded in low country intermediate zone and the lowest in mid ’■,
country intermediate zone. A considerable variation was shown among the individual fatty acid,^ ■
contents obtained from different agro-climatic zones. Oil content and the fatty acid com position were ^, .
not correlated with the studied geographical parameters (altitude, longitude and latitude)
