Evaluation of fatty acids profile and mineral content of Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss. of Morocco

The content of lipids and the fatty acid (fa) profile were determined for branches/leaves (bls) and seeds (sds) of retama monosperma. the total lipids were extracted with hexane and further derivatives to fa methyl esters (fame). the analyses of fame samples were performed by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionisation detector. the total lipids content in bls and sds were 0.3 % and 5% respectively. the results indicate that palmitic acid (c16: 0) is the most abundant saturated fa in both sds and bls followed by stearic acid (c18: 0),while the oleic acid (c18:1n9) is the dominant mono-unsaturated fa in the sds. the two samples contained linoleic (c18:2n6) and linolenic acid (c18:3n3) as major polyunsaturated acids. the greatest proportion of linoleic acid was found in sds,while linolenic acid is highest in bls. the traditional use of the retama monosperma as an antidiabetic is probably related to its fa. the results of mineral analysis showed that all sds and bls contained considerable amount of macro and micro elements.