Effects of Geographical Origin on the Conjugated Linolenic Acid of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim Seed Oil

Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim (T. kirilowii) seeds from four geographical locations (Changxing, Quzhou, Yuexi, Dongzhi) contained 26.15–49.41% oil and 28.68–37.90% protein. The seed oil was distinguished by the conjugated linolenic acids, punicic acid (PA) and α-eleostearic acid (α-ESA). The main fatty acids in T. kirilowii seed oils were ranked in the following order: punicic acid (33.09–39.15%), linolenic acid (33.77–38.66%), oleic acid (15.15–24.88%), palmitic acid (2.36–4.86%). PA was the main isomer of CLNA (33.09–39.15%). No significant differences were found either in PA content or in α-ESA content of T. kirilowii seed from these geographical locations. Little difference was observed in the quantitative composition of the lipid contents of seeds from different geographical locations. The α-tocopherol content of T. kirilowii seed ranged from 6.34 to 31.74 mg/100 g, with the highest levels in Changxing seeds. The present results showed that T. kirilowii seeds were especially rich in PA, and their contents were not influenced by the geographical locations. Variation in some proximate compositions by geographical locations may be caused by ecological conditions, temperature, climate condition, technical and cultural conditions.