• Groundnuts grown in India have about 55% oleic acid, about 25% linoleic acid and around 10% palmitic acid, whereas in the U.S., several groundnut varieties have 80% oleic acid and just 2-3% linoleic acid.

BACKGROUND:

• Fatty acid composition defines groundnut oil quality. Six saturated fatty acids including palmitic acid constitute 10%, whereas oleic acid (monounsaturated fatty acid) together with linoleic acid (polyunsaturated fatty acid) constitutes nearly 80% of unsaturated fatty acid in groundnuts. It is highly desirable to increase the oleic acid content and reduce both linoleic acid and palmitic acid content.
• Groundnuts grown in India have about 55% oleic acid, about 25% linoleic acid and around 10% palmitic acid, whereas in the U.S., several groundnut varieties have 80% oleic acid and just 2-3% linoleic acid.
• Efforts have been taken to increase the oleic acid content and reduce both linoleic and palmitic acid content for health benefits and to increase the shelf-life.
• In close collaboration with scientists from several institutions in India and Africa, the Hyderabad-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has developed improved groundnut lines for disease resistance and high oleic acid content. In 2016, the result of development of high (up to 82%) oleic acid content lines in three popular groundnut varieties.