Ethnobotanical, physiological, histological study and evaluation of the contents of Omega-3 of Portulaca oleracea of the area of Djelfa (Algeria)

The objective of this study is the knowledge of the Algerian natural resources in producing plants of fatty-acids “Omega-3” and the evaluation of their capacity to produce for their possible industrial exploitation, while being interested in the extracts of a species of the family of Portulacaceae: Portulaca oleracea.

In our study a certain number of objectives were set: a ethnobotanic study of Portulaca oleracea in order to better know and to develop the uses of this species; A histological study of the various bodies; A chemical screening and a test of germination to know the best conditions of the germination of seeds. We determined and analyzed the contents of Omega-3 by Mass Spectrometry coupled to a Chromatograph in Gas Phase (CPG/SM-QP 2010).

The results show a variability of the contents of fatty-acids (Omega-3) between the bodies collected at the various periods of the year, whose content of the Omega 3 of the bodies collected in July is twice more important than those collected in May. Diallo and al., (2010), cites several factors that influence the composition of fatty acids, like the light and the type of soil. Portulaca oleracea is rich in active principles such as: alkaloids, flavonoids. The germination of seeds of Portulaca oleracea is highly significantly affected by the temperature and significantly by the size of seeds. The histological study showed that the organs of Portulaca oleracea are rich in calcium oxalate and potassium crystals. Schauenbergand Paris (1977), reported the presence of crystals of calcium oxalate and potassium oxalate in the organs of Portulaca oleracea.

References:

[1] Diallo F. B., Begin D., Gerin M., 2010. Knowledge reviews: The solvent substitution by methyl esters of vegetable oil fatty acids. IRSST: B-079.

[2] Schauenberg P. and Paris F., 1977. Le piante medicinali, Roma, Newton Compton.