Assessment of Fatty Acid Profile in Herbal Teas Consumed in North West Nigeria and Their Potential Health Implications
Rabil A. K.
Habeeb A. M.
Abdulrasheed S.
Abstract
Herbal teas and related beverages have achieved significant internal recognition due to their rich Natural bioactive compounds that are known to exhibit diverse biological effects, including antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. However, the lipidomics profiles of herbal teas remain largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to comprehensively characterize and compare the fatty acid composition of ten popular herbal teas (GM, LM, EMR, STR, PNP, O&G, GH, CSH, EG, TM) Using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) Distinct molecular species of lipids were identified, dominated by long-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Significant quantities of hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid, 16:0) and octadecanoic acid (stearic acid, 18:0) were consistently detected across the samples. Several biologically active unsaturated fatty acids were also identified, including 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid, 18:2, n-6) and essential omega-6 fatty acid and 9-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid, 18:1, n-9), known for their cardio protective properties. Interestingly, trace amounts of short-chain and odd-chain saturated fatty acids, such as dodecanoic acid (lauric acid, 12:0) and pentadecanoic acid (15:0), were also detected, potentially serving as authenticity markers for herbal teas. Although these lipids occur in small quantities per serving, their presence suggests that herbal teas may provide a previously unaccounted spectrum of bioactive lipid compounds. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the lipidomics diversity and potential bioactive lipid components of herbal teas, offering a foundation for further research into their nutritional value, authenticity, and health-promoting properties.
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