*3.5. Principal-Component Analysis*

The reported variability in the oil composition of cultivars is reflected in principal-component analysis (Figure 1). Principal Component 1 (PC1) was mainly composed of fatty acids (C18:2n6c; C18:1n9c; C18:0) and tocotrienols (β-T3), while Principal Component 2 (CP2) was composed of tocopherols ( α-T; γ-T). The negative correlation between linoleic and oleic acid was clear. Similar negative correlation could be observed for the α- and γ-tocopherols. As γ-tocopherol is the main component of vitamin E in melon-seed oils, and major interest exists for oils with a high content in unsaturated fatty acids, the cultivars in the top right of Figure 1 are the most interesting for melon-seed-oil production. These are cvs. Charentais and Honey Dew. However, the provided information also encourages the production of oils with more monounsaturated fatty acids and with a higher concentration of the most active homologous α-tocopherol. In this case, the use of cvs. Piñonet and Piel de Sapo PGI, in the bottom left of Figure 1, is preferable.


**Table 3.** Fatty acid profile (g/100 g of oil) of obtained melon-seed oils. All oil samples were extracted with screw press except the last column, which shows results of
