Research Article ISSN 2250-0480 VOL 4/ISSUE 2/APR-JUN 2014 L - 34 Life Science zoology PHARMACOLOGICALLY ACTIVE α-LINOLENIC ACID (ALA, 18:3ω3), THE PRIMARY PRECURSOR MOLECULE FOR – ω3 SERIES OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACID(PUFA) FROM MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM TAPAS KUMAR DAS¹, SAMARESH SAMANTA¹, SUBHASISH CHATTERJEE 1 ANITA GHOSH 2 AND SUSANTA KUMAR CHAKRABORTY 1 * 1Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore (West), 721102 West Bengal, India. 2Secretary, Drug Research & Development Centre, Kolkata 700028 ABSTRACT The fatty acid compositions of the three selected mangrove plant leaves and detritus of the leaves have been studied by gas liquid chromatography and other chromatographic techniques. Altogether 25 components were detected and estimated. Major fatty acids recorded were palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1ω9), linoleic (18:2ω6) and α-linolenic (18:3ω3). Of the unsaturated fatty acids, considerably higher levels of pharmacologically active fatty acids, viz. linoleic and α-linolenic acids were recorded. The α-linolenic acid is incorporated into cell membranes, promotes the health of blood vessels and is converted to long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Such findings have suggested that these plant species studied are also a potential source of pharmacologically active α-linolenic acid, the primary precursor molecule for – ω3 family of fatty acids in animal tissues. Key words:α-linolenic acid,unsaturated fatty acid,G.L.C mangrove. 1. INTRODUCTION Biochemical studies on three selected species of mangrove Plants, viz. Avicennia marina (Family- Avicenniaceae), Acanthus ilicifolius (Family- Acanthaceae) and Suaeda maritima (Family- Chenopodiaceae) and mangrove leaves derived detritus is necessary for evaluating their nutritional value as well as their possibility of future usage as natural sources for biologically active components. α-linolenic acid (ALA) is the parent compound of the omega-3 fatty acid family. It must be obtained from our diets because our bodies do not make it(Breanne et al 2009). ALA has important roles in human health. It reduces inflammation,. It incorporates into the cell membranes andpromotes the health of blood vessels and is converted to long- chain omega-3 fatty acids(Morris, 2008). ALA has important biologic effects and helps prevent and manage chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and certain types of cancer(Morris, 2007) ALA helps to promote the proper functioning of blood vessels, which reduces the risk of heart attacks and stroke(Nestel, et al.1997). ALA constitutes 75-80% of total omega-3 fatty acids in breast milk, underscoring its importance for infant growth and development (Ratnayake, 1996 and Innis, 2000). ALA is also required for maintaining the nervous system. A deficiency of ALA in humans causes poor growth,