Phytosterols and fatty acids in fig (Ficus carica, var. Mission) fruit and tree components

The phytosterol compositions in unsaponifiables of fig (Ficus carica, var. Mission) fruit and 3 structural components of the branches; and the fatty acid composition of fig fruits were studied using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The phytosterols were determined from the trimethylsilyl ether (TMS) derivatives of the unsaponifiable samples. Fourteen compounds were separated from fig fruit; 13, 10, and 6 in bark, stem, and pith, respectively. Sitosterol was the most predominant sterol in all parts. Also detected were campesterol, stigmasterol, and fucosterol. Fatty acids in fig fruit, determined as their methyl esters, were myristic (14:0), palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2), and linolenic (18:3) acids.