Variability in elite linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) germplasm for oil content and fatty acid composition.

Seeds of hundred elite linseed genotypes were analyzed for oil content and fatty acid composition to identify germplasm rich in oil and linolenic acid content suitable for industrial and/or edible purposes. The ratio of monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA:PUFA) and nutritional quality index (NQI) of the oil were also worked out to assess the stability and nutritional quality of the oil. Among linseed genotypes Gaurav, LC-2007, LC-15635, LC-2005 and LC-2203 were identified to be rich in oil content. Fatty acid profile of seed oil of different linseed germplasm indicated wide and significant variations in all the five fatty acids present in the oil. Palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids showed variations from 4.21–8.71%, 3.52–8.17%, 22.17–41.72% and 4.82–19.13%, respectively. While linolenic acid which was in dominating proportion significantly ranged from 33.22–54.79%. LC-1477, LC-2006, LC-2053, LC-1908 and LC-1630 genotypes were identified to have high linolenic acid content (more than 50%) indicating their suitability for industrial purpose. Oil from genotype LC-1552 was found to be most stable as it showed highest value for MUFA:PUFA ratio (0.92) while genotype LC-1477 recorded highest value (1.96) for nutritional quality index (NQI) depicting its oil to be nutritionally the best.