Seeds of three Cordia L. species (Boraginaceae), collected in different cities of the State of São Paulo were analysed in relation to the lipid content and fatty acid composition, with emphasis on the presence of gamma-linolenic acid, a fatty acid with therapeutical interest. The total lipids were separated into classes (neutral lipids, phospholipids and glucolipids) by open column chromatography with silica gel and the fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. Although the levels of total lipids varied considerably between samples (25.84 to 62.81 %), the dominant class was that of neutral lipids (88.9 % of the total lipids). The insaturated acids represented 75 % of the total composition of fatty acids, with oleic acid being the main representative. The presence of gamma-linolenic acid was ascertained in all the samples analysed, in concentrations from 0.63 to 2.54 %, higher values than those related in literature for other Cordia.
Cordia; Boraginaceae; gamma-linolenic acid; seed oil