borage oil among different unconventional plant seed oils (Czaplicki et al. 2011;
Szterk et al. 2010). Recently, Fabrikov et al. (2019) evaluated the phytochemicals in
farmed (Borago officinalis L.) and endemic-wild Borago species (Borago officinalis
L., Borago morisiana Bigazzi et Ricceri, Borago pygmaea (DC.) Chater & Greuter,
Borago longifolia Poir, Borago trabutii Maire) and observed the highest amount of
tocopherols in B. pygmaea and B. morisiana with 514 and 296 mg/100 g oil,
respectively.
14.7 Phytosterols
Phytosterols are a class of natural, cholesterol-like compounds present in most of the
crude vegetable oils. Phytosterols have been reported to inhibit dietary cholesterol
absorption through the gut, thus reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart
diseases. Borage oil contains total phytosterols in the range of 196.0–365.5 mg/
100 g oil (Czaplicki et al. 2011; Szterk et al. 2010). The major phytosterols are
campesterol (43.8–140.2 mg/100 g), β-sitosterol (56.6–80.7 mg/100 g oil) and Δ5avenasterol (43.6–87.1 mg/100 g oil). Czaplicki et al. (2011) studied the detailed
profile of phytosterols in borage oil and detected small fraction of gramisterol,
citrostadienol and cycloartenol also (Table 14.3). Recently, Fabrikov et al. (2019)
detected higher amount of squalene in wild variety of Borago officinalis
Table 14.3 Minor/bioactive components in borage seed oil
Component
Czaplicki et al.
(2011)
Fabrikov et al.
(2019)
Szterk et al.
(2010)
Squalene (mg/g oil)
0.22
0.19
NR
Tocopherols (mg/kg oil)
– α-Tocopherol
ND
ND
ND
– β-Tocopherol
ND
ND
–
– γ-Tocopherol
171 Æ 15.4
331.2
200.0
a
– δ-Tocopherol
1432 Æ 119
2068.8
3000.0
Phytosterols (mg/100 g oil)
196 Æ 11.6
NR
365.5
– 24-Methylcholesta-5,23dienol
21 Æ 1.1
NR
NR
– Cholesterol
ND
NR
ND
– Stigmasterol
ND
NR
NR
– Campesterol
43.8 Æ 2.1
140.2
82.6
– β-Sitosterol
56.6 Æ 2.3
62.3
80.7
– Δ5-Avenasterol
43.6 Æ 4.9
151.5
87.1
– Gramisterol
11.2 Æ 0.1
NR
NR
– Citrostadienol
3.2 Æ 0.4
NR
16.5
– Cycloartenol
17.2 Æ 0.7
NR
35.2
NR not reported, ND not detected
a Indicates β + γ-tocopherol
14 Borage (Borago officinalis) Seed
357
Szterk et al. 2010). Recently, Fabrikov et al. (2019) evaluated the phytochemicals in
farmed (Borago officinalis L.) and endemic-wild Borago species (Borago officinalis
L., Borago morisiana Bigazzi et Ricceri, Borago pygmaea (DC.) Chater & Greuter,
Borago longifolia Poir, Borago trabutii Maire) and observed the highest amount of
tocopherols in B. pygmaea and B. morisiana with 514 and 296 mg/100 g oil,
respectively.
14.7 Phytosterols
Phytosterols are a class of natural, cholesterol-like compounds present in most of the
crude vegetable oils. Phytosterols have been reported to inhibit dietary cholesterol
absorption through the gut, thus reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart
diseases. Borage oil contains total phytosterols in the range of 196.0–365.5 mg/
100 g oil (Czaplicki et al. 2011; Szterk et al. 2010). The major phytosterols are
campesterol (43.8–140.2 mg/100 g), β-sitosterol (56.6–80.7 mg/100 g oil) and Δ5avenasterol (43.6–87.1 mg/100 g oil). Czaplicki et al. (2011) studied the detailed
profile of phytosterols in borage oil and detected small fraction of gramisterol,
citrostadienol and cycloartenol also (Table 14.3). Recently, Fabrikov et al. (2019)
detected higher amount of squalene in wild variety of Borago officinalis
Table 14.3 Minor/bioactive components in borage seed oil
Component
Czaplicki et al.
(2011)
Fabrikov et al.
(2019)
Szterk et al.
(2010)
Squalene (mg/g oil)
0.22
0.19
NR
Tocopherols (mg/kg oil)
– α-Tocopherol
ND
ND
ND
– β-Tocopherol
ND
ND
–
– γ-Tocopherol
171 Æ 15.4
331.2
200.0
a
– δ-Tocopherol
1432 Æ 119
2068.8
3000.0
Phytosterols (mg/100 g oil)
196 Æ 11.6
NR
365.5
– 24-Methylcholesta-5,23dienol
21 Æ 1.1
NR
NR
– Cholesterol
ND
NR
ND
– Stigmasterol
ND
NR
NR
– Campesterol
43.8 Æ 2.1
140.2
82.6
– β-Sitosterol
56.6 Æ 2.3
62.3
80.7
– Δ5-Avenasterol
43.6 Æ 4.9
151.5
87.1
– Gramisterol
11.2 Æ 0.1
NR
NR
– Citrostadienol
3.2 Æ 0.4
NR
16.5
– Cycloartenol
17.2 Æ 0.7
NR
35.2
NR not reported, ND not detected
a Indicates β + γ-tocopherol
14 Borage (Borago officinalis) Seed
357