The fatty acid composition of the oil of the winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.) seeds

The seeds of the winged bean,Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L. were found to be rich in oil. The oil was examined for its iodine value, saponification value and fatty acid composition by gas liquid chromatography. The value (area percent) for fatty acids as methyl esters were: 14∶0 (0.2%); 16∶0 (9.1%); 16∶1 (0.4%); 18∶0 (5.4%); 18∶1 (41.0%); 18∶2 (29.5%); 18∶3 (1.9%); 20∶0 (2.0%); 20∶1 and 18∶4 together (2.2%); 22∶0 (7.3%) and 24∶0 (1.0%). The iodine value (Wij solution) was 91. The oil contains an appreciable amount of unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic 18∶2 (29.5%). The predominant saturated fatty acid is palmitic 16∶0 (9.1%).