Fatty acid and metal composition of the seeds of Lathyrus sativus varieties

Abstract

Among the grain legumes from the Old World, we may single out two species of the genus Lathyrus (L. sativus L. and L. cicera L.), one species of the genus Trigonella (T. foenum-graecum L.), and three species of the genus Vicia (V. ervilia (L). Willd., V. monanthos (L). Desf. and V. narbonensis L.) on account of their current state of marginalization [1]. Lathyrus genus, which is in Leguminosea, is large, with 187 species and subspecies [2]. The main centers of diversity in the genus are around the Mediterranean region, Asia Minor, North America, and temperate region of South America [3, 4]. The widespread use of legumes makes this food group an important source of lipid and fatty acids in animal and human nutrition. Some publications dealing with the total lipid and fatty acid composition are reviewed by a few researchers [5–7]. Metal ions, metal complexes, and vitamins are materials that play an important role in vital functions of organisms [8].