Abstract

ALA is the precursor of EPA and DHA and its dietary availability is limited. Vegetable oils rich in ALA (48-64%) are alternatives for increasing its consumption. The conversion of ALA into EPA and DHA and the ratio (EPA+DHA/ALA) was evaluated in different tissues from male Wistar rats fed ALA -rich oils. Four groups (n=12/group) were fed for 21 days with oils from: a) corn (CO, 3% ALA); b) soybean (SO, 6% ALA); c) sacha inchi (SIO, 48% ALA) and; d) chia (Ch0, 64% ALA). SO, SIO and Ch0 significantly increased ALA levels (p<0.05) in the tissues. Only SIO and Ch0 increased tissue EPA and DHA while reducing n-6/n-3 ratio (p<0.05). SIO and Ch0 are suggested as good sources of ALA to increase tissue EPA and DHA.