Exposure of fatty acids after a single oral administration of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) and sunflower oil in human adult subjects

Context: Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) is a potential oilseed crop because it is rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA) (omega-3 fatty acid).

Objective: To evaluate the exposure of fatty acids after a single oral administration of sacha inchi or sunflower oil in healthy volunteers.

Material and methods: Plasma fatty acids concentrations were assayed by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector in 18 adult subjects. After fasting, blood samples were obtained at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24?h after ingestion of 10 or 15?ml of sacha inchi oil or sunflower oil.

Results: The proportion ALA/linoleic acid was 1.37 in sacha inchi oil and 0.01 in sunflower oil. ALA, lauric acid, palmitic acid, linolelaidic acid, cis-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid, cis-13,16-docosadienoic acid and cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels changed over time after sacha inchi oil ingestion but not with sunflower oil. The time at maximal concentration (t_max) for ALA was 2?h after sacha inchi oil ingestion. No ALA in plasma was observed after sunflower oil consumption. The maximal concentration of ALA was 2.84?±?0.36?mg/ml in women and 0.94?±?0.57?mg/ml in men, p?p?>?0.05). There is a trend for higher plasma ALA levels with 15?ml sacha inchi oil. After 2?h of consumption, plasma delta triacylglycerol were reduced with sunflower oil but slightly increased with sacha inchi oil. A reduction in plasma delta triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein cholesterol was observed with both oils.

Conclusion: Consumption of sacha inchi oil increased ALA and DHA in plasma.