The Fatty Acid Composition of Vegetable Oils and Their Potential Use in Wound Care

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the similarities among fatty acid compositions of vegetable oils sold in the Brazilian market and those present in a reference health product used to treat wounds. METHODS The relative amounts of fatty acids in 21 types of vegetable oils, purchased in the Brazilian market, were assessed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and flame ionization detection. MAIN RESULTS The studied oils had similar fatty acid compositions to the reference product (caprylic acid, 18.8%; capric acid, 17.4%; oleic acid, 27.5%; and linoleic acid, 28.1%). The presence of caprylic acid (10.45% +/- 0.07%), capric acid (5.8% +/- 0.75%), lauric acid (45.63% +/- 0.93%), and myristic acid (16.33% +/- 2.23%) were detected in all the vegetable oils tested. Oleic acid (52.94% +/- 12.54%) was present in andiroba, avocado, canola, copaiba, olive, palm, pequi, and pracaxi oils and featured prominently in olive oil (75.8%). Linoleic acid (57.09% +/- 8.47%) was present in corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, passion fruit, and sunflower oils and in mixed oils (olive with soybean and sunflower with corn and canola). CONCLUSIONS Most of the vegetable oils tested are products of plants from tropical climates, where they are abundant and easy to cultivate. It is possible that a balanced composition of fatty acids obtained from natural sources could be an effective alternative treatment for wounds.