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Extraction and Analysis of Taiwanese Green Propolis
Published on: January 7, 2019
Policosanol content and composition in perilla seeds
Prakash Adhikari1, Keum Taek Hwang, Jae Nam Park
1Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Center for Healthcare Technology Development, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|July 20, 2006
Summary
Perilla seeds are a rich source of policosanols, beneficial long-chain alcohols, with Korean and Chinese varieties showing significant content. These compounds differ greatly from those found in sesame seeds, highlighting perilla
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Nutritional Science
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Policosanols, long-chain alcohols, possess diverse beneficial physiological activities.
- Understanding the content and composition of bioactive compounds in plant seeds is crucial for nutritional and pharmaceutical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the contents and compositions of policosanols in perilla seeds (Perilla frutescens) from Korea and China.
- To compare the policosanol profiles of perilla seeds with those of sesame seeds.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of waxy materials from perilla and sesame seeds using hot hexane.
- Identification and quantification of components using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and Gas Chromatography (GC).
- Analysis of major components including policosanols, hydrocarbons, wax esters, steryl esters, aldehydes, acids, and triacylglycerols.
Main Results:
- Perilla seeds yielded 72.1 mg/100 g of waxy materials, with policosanols constituting 25.5% (Korea) and 34.8% (China).
- Major policosanols in perilla seeds were octacosanol (67-68%), hexacosanol (16-17%), and triacontanol (6-9%).
- Sesame seeds yielded significantly less waxy material (8.6 mg/100 g) with less than 5% policosanols, primarily composed of wax esters and steryl esters (93-95%).
Conclusions:
- Perilla seeds are a valuable source of policosanols, with notable differences in composition between Korean and Chinese varieties.
- The policosanol content in perilla seeds is substantially higher compared to sesame seeds, indicating perilla as a preferred source for these compounds.
