Evening primrose Oenothea

This oilseed crop is produced and sold in health-food stores because it contains substantial amounts (7-15%) of y-linolenate. y-Linolenic acid is produced from linoleic acid and converted to higher polyenes, such as arachidonic acid, and into prostaglandin hormones. Breakdown in this pathway is associated with several diseases, and some of these may be alleviated by the consumption of diets rich in y-linolenate (Raederstorff and Moser, 1992). The possible benefits of this oil are appreciated more widely in Europe than in the United States (Walker, 1985). Other sources of y-linolenate have been identified (Wolf et al., 1983). 

This oilseed is interesting because it is a halophyte capable of growing under irrigation with seawater (Glenn et al., 1991). Subtropical coastal desserts presently have little value in crop production. An oilseed crop that could grow under these conditions potentiaUy could make this almost worthless land agriculturally productive. The seed contain 28% oil and 31% protein. The fatty acid composition is 8% palmitate, 2% stearate, 12% oleate, 74% linoleate and 3% linolenate. Seed yields were superior to those of sunflower and soybean. 

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