Seasonal variations for oil content and fatty acid composition in oil palm hybrids

Oil content and fatty acid composition in three different sources of oil palm hybrids viz., Malaysia, Deli x Ghana and Deli x Nigeria were analyzed during two seasons,rainy and summer. Seasonal variations in fruit weights (4.9 – 13.6 g), oil content (69.3 – 81%) and moisture (30.2–43.9%) were observed among hybrids. The fruit weight and mesocarp contents were higher in all the hybrids during summer compared to that of rainy months, while oil content was high during rainy months in the oil palm hybrids studied. The oil to dry mesocarp content was high in Deli x Ghana hybrid followed by Malaysian and Deli x Nigeria hybrid sources. Saturated fatty acids like myristic acid (0.67 – 1.32%) and palmitic acid (41.9 – 49.6%) showed higher levels during summer season, while stearic acid (3.67 – 4.86%) increased during rainy season. Palmitic acid levels were high in oil palm hybrids belonging to Malaysian source followed by Deli x Nigeria and Deli x Ghana sources. Unsaturated fatty acids like oleic (36.5 – 44.1%), linoleic (5.58 – 8.57%) and linolenic (0.22 – 0.56%) increased during summer and decreased during rainy months. Oleic acid levels were high in oil palm hybrids belonging to Malaysian source followed by Deli x Ghana and Deli x Nigeria sources. The study confirms that oil content and fatty acid composition is influenced by temperature and rainfall during rainy and summer months.