Abstract

EVARISTO, Isabel; TENREIRO, Rogério  and  COSTA, Rita. Characterisation of Biometric Parameters and Fatty Acids Content of Pinus pinea L. Pine Nuts of Portuguese Populations. Silva Lus. [online]. 2008, vol.16, n.1, pp.1-19. ISSN 0870-6352.

This study is a follow up to the article already published entitled "Caracterização de genótipos seleccionados de pinheiro manso para o controlo da qualidade do pinhão" and intends to contribute to increase the value of the Alcácer do Sal pine nut and thereby create a region with a denomination of protected origin (DOP). The variability of 14 morphological parameters was evaluated in the pine cones and the seeds, on four populations from the main Provenance Region, in order to find out correlations that allow us to quickly select the characteristics to improve. Quinta do Sousa and Monte Novo revealed higher genetic potential. In the same populations, the fatty acids content was also assessed in order to select clones to be used in future plantation programmes. The results confirmed that pine nut has high crude fat content (43%), low saturated fatty acids (SFA) (11%) and high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (48%). The most abundant acids were the unsaturated linoleic and oleic, which comprise together about 84% of the total fatty acid content.

Keywords : Stone pine; morphological parameters; cones; seeds; fatty acids.

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