Vegetable oils rich in alpha linolenic acid allow a higher accretion of n-3 LCPUFA in the plasma, liver and adipose tissue of the rat

Abstract

ALA is the precursor of EPA and DHA and its dietary availability is limited. Vegetable oils rich in ALA (48-64%) are alternatives for increasing its consumption. The conversion of ALA into EPA and DHA and the ratio (EPA+DHA/ALA) was evaluated in different tissues from male Wistar rats fed ALA -rich oils. Four groups (n=12/group) were fed for 21 days with oils from: a) corn (CO, 3% ALA); b) soybean (SO, 6% ALA); c) sacha inchi (SIO, 48% ALA) and; d) chia (ChO, 64% ALA). SO, SIO and ChO significantly increased ALA levels (p<0.05) in the tissues. Only SIO and ChO increased tissue EPA and DHA while reducing n-6/n-3 ratio (p<0.05). SIO and ChO are suggested as good sources of ALA to increase tissue EPA and DHA. © 2014 CSIC.