Resumen de Vegetable oils rich in alpha linolenic acid allow a higher accretion of n-3 LCPUFA in the plasma, liver and adipose tissue of the rat

R. Valenzuela, C. Barrera, J. M. Ayala, J. Sanhueza, A. Valenzuela

• ALA is the precursor of EPA and DHA and its dietary availability is limited. Vegetable oils rich in ALA (48�64%) are alternatives for increasing its consumption. The conversion of ALA into EPA and DHA and the ratio (EPA+DHA/ALA) was evaluated in different tissues from male Wistar rats fed ALA �rich oils. Four groups (n=12/group) were fed for 21 days with oils from: a) corn (CO, 3% ALA); b) soybean (SO, 6% ALA);

  c) sacha inchi (SIO, 48% ALA) and; d) chia (ChO, 64% ALA). SO, SIO and ChO significantly increased ALA levels (p<0.05) in the tissues. Only SIO and ChO increased tissue EPA and DHA while reducing n-6/n-3 ratio (p<0.05). SIO and ChO are suggested as good sources of ALA to increase tissue EPA and DHA.