Characteristics, fatty acid profile, strategic importance of zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (rutaceae) seed oil and sustainable conservation of the species

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lamb (Rutaceae) is a threatened plant with medicinal and pesticidal properties. Its roots are over-harvested. The objective of the study was to determine the profile and the potential beneficial biological properties of its seed oil. The average weight of the seed was 22.98 ± 0.51 mg. It contained 5.5% water and 38.5% oil. Chemical analysis of the oil by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry revealed the presence of a monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, in the proportion of 56.5% and two polyunsaturated fatty acids. These acids are: linoleic acid or omega-6 and linolenic acid or omega-3 in the same proportion of 4.8% each. Z. zanthoxyloides seed oil is of oleic type with an unsaturated fatty acid content of 67.6%. The saturated fatty acid content was 30.8%. It is a high quality oil because of the high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids and the presence of two essential fatty acids which confer beneficial effects on many physiological processes. Study of biological properties of the oil must be enlarged to permit to substitute the exploitation of the root bark with that of the seeds. Use of seeds instead of roots insures best conservation of this medicinal plant species.