In addition, the SI seed is consumed as peanuts (as nuts). The
most important FA reported in peanuts are oleic (40–50%), linoleic
(25–28%) and palmitic (11–16%) acids. Ratios of x6/x3 FA for peanuts
have been reported to be within the 402–600 range (Rodrigues
et al., 2011). Thus, consumption of SI seeds or its oil would
be beneficial in terms of health given its high a-linolenic FA contribution
and the low x6/x3 FA ratio. There are a few vegetable
sources in our diet that provide high contents of a-linolenic FA.
Several sources of information suggest that that the human diet
should evolve into a ratio x6/x3 of about one (Simopoulos,
2011). However, today, Western diets have a ratio of 10:1 to 20–
25:1, indicating that Western diets are deficient in x3 FA. x6
and x3 FA are not interconvertible in the human body and are
important components of practically all cell membranes (Simopoulos,
2011).