Chapter 14
Borage (Borago officinalis) Seed
Beenu Tanwar, Ankit Goyal, Vikas Kumar, Prasad Rasane,
and Manvesh Kumar Sihag
Abstract Borage (Borago officinalis L.) seed is the richest source of γ-linolenic
acid (GLA), which has been recognised to possess therapeutic potential against
chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), rheumatoid
arthritis, cancer, atherosclerosis, etc. Under physiological conditions, the conversion
of GLA into dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) not only acts as the precursor of antiinflammatory compounds but also inhibits the formation of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids from arachidonic acid (AA). Several animal and clinical trials have suggested
the protective role of borage oil and GLA in the treatment of non-communicable
diseases (NCDs) possibly due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.
The other parts of borage herb such as leaves and flowers are edible and consumed as
raw and cooked in the form of salad and beverages. However, owing to the
medicinal value of GLA, borage is commercially grown for its oil worldwide. In
The original version of this chapter was revised. A correction to this chapter can be found at
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4194-0_21
B. Tanwar
Department of Dairy Technology, Mansinhbhai Institute of Dairy and Food Technology,
Mehsana, Gujarat, India
e-mail: beenu@midft.com
A. Goyal (*)
Department of Dairy Chemistry, Mansinhbhai Institute of Dairy and Food Technology,
Mehsana, Gujarat, India
e-mail: ankit@midft.com
V. Kumar
Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural
University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
P. Rasane
Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional
University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
M. K. Sihag
Department of Dairy Chemistry, College of Dairy Science & Technology, Guru Angad Dev
Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021, corrected publication 2021
B. Tanwar, A. Goyal (eds.), Oilseeds: Health Attributes and Food Applications,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4194-0_14
351
Borage (Borago officinalis) Seed
Beenu Tanwar, Ankit Goyal, Vikas Kumar, Prasad Rasane,
and Manvesh Kumar Sihag
Abstract Borage (Borago officinalis L.) seed is the richest source of γ-linolenic
acid (GLA), which has been recognised to possess therapeutic potential against
chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), rheumatoid
arthritis, cancer, atherosclerosis, etc. Under physiological conditions, the conversion
of GLA into dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) not only acts as the precursor of antiinflammatory compounds but also inhibits the formation of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids from arachidonic acid (AA). Several animal and clinical trials have suggested
the protective role of borage oil and GLA in the treatment of non-communicable
diseases (NCDs) possibly due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.
The other parts of borage herb such as leaves and flowers are edible and consumed as
raw and cooked in the form of salad and beverages. However, owing to the
medicinal value of GLA, borage is commercially grown for its oil worldwide. In
The original version of this chapter was revised. A correction to this chapter can be found at
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4194-0_21
B. Tanwar
Department of Dairy Technology, Mansinhbhai Institute of Dairy and Food Technology,
Mehsana, Gujarat, India
e-mail: beenu@midft.com
A. Goyal (*)
Department of Dairy Chemistry, Mansinhbhai Institute of Dairy and Food Technology,
Mehsana, Gujarat, India
e-mail: ankit@midft.com
V. Kumar
Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural
University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
P. Rasane
Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional
University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
M. K. Sihag
Department of Dairy Chemistry, College of Dairy Science & Technology, Guru Angad Dev
Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021, corrected publication 2021
B. Tanwar, A. Goyal (eds.), Oilseeds: Health Attributes and Food Applications,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4194-0_14
351