Fatty acid concentrations in the seeds of golden flax (Linum usitatissimum) were significantly affected by the presence of cadmium and mycorrhizal fungi in the soil. Seeds were collected from plants grown in 0, 5, or 15 ppm Cd both in the presence and absence of mycorrhizal fungi, and the concentrations of saturated (16:0 and 18:0) and unsaturated (18:1, 18:2, and 18:3) fatty acids within seeds were analyzed as their methyl esters via GC/MS. Cadmium levels of 5 ppm favored the production of both saturated acids, while levels of 15 ppm favored the production of the unsaturated oleic acid (18:1).  Plants grown with mycorrhizal fungi produced seeds that contained higher concentrations of unsaturated, but not saturated fatty acids. The effects of mycorrhizal fungi on the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids in seeds were especially pronounced when plants were also grown in 15 ppm Cd soils.

Quantitative analysis of the fatty acid content in flax seeds (<i>Linum usitatissimum</i>) as influenced by soil cadmium and mycorrhizal fungi

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Quantitative analysis of the fatty acid content in flax seeds (Linum usitatissimum) as influenced by soil cadmium and mycorrhizal fungi