## 2 Results
### Fatty Acid Profile in _Ilex_ Leaves  
Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from European _Ilex_ cultivars revealed the presence of 17 compounds, and seven of the main FAMEs are summarized in Table 3 (in addition, Table S4 showing all compounds is available in Supplementary Data). It was found that the fatty acid profiles of the Argentine and European varieties were similar to one another. The main compounds identified in the European varieties were palmitic acid (12.05-15.03 mg g\({}^{-1}\)), linoleic acid (LA) (5.52-10.40 mg g\({}^{-1}\)) and \(\alpha\)-linolenic acid (ALA) (9.09-22.16 mg g\({}^{-1}\)). Regarding the European cultivars, greater profile similarity was observed between _I. aquifolium_ Ferox Argentea and _I. meserveae_ Blue Angel due to similar amounts of LA (5.84 and 5.63 mg g\({}^{-1}\)) and ALA (9.72 and 9.09 mg g\({}^{-1}\)) acids. However, the other cultivars, i.e., _I. aquifolium_ Alaska, _I. aquifolium_ Rubricaulis Aurea, _I. meserveae_ Golden Girl, and _I. meserveae_ Blue Boy, showed higher amounts of these acids, which were as follows: LA (8.40-10.08 mg g\({}^{-1}\)) and ALA (19.28-22.16 mg g\({}^{-1}\)). _I. paraguriensis_ as a reference sample showed the highest amounts of palmitic (18.08 mg g\({}^{-1}\)) and oleic acid (9.03 mg g\({}^{-1}\)). Stearic and \(\alpha\)-linolenic acids were identified at similar levels, namely 6.39 and 5.92 mg g\({}^{-1}\) respectively. It was also observed that the level of linoleic acid was lower in the Argentinean cultivar compared to the European cultivars. The fatty acid profile in _I. paraguriensis_ has also been reported by other researchers. In a paper published by [PERSON] et al. [6], the acid that was significantly prominent in terms of the amount in the leaves of _I. paraguriensis_ was \(\alpha\)-linolenic acid, and the second acid that was most prominent, but in a much lower amount, was palmitic acid. Compared to the above analyses, the levels of palmitic and LA acids were lower. In addition, in the work of [PERSON] et al. [20] the fatty acid profile of _I. paraguriensis_ was demonstrated, where the main acids were also palmitic acid and \(\alpha\)-linolenic acid, but their amounts were similar. As in the previous study, [PERSON] et al. also reported lower contents of stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. [PERSON] et al. [21], in their study on the oxidative activity of fractions of _I. guayusa_ leaves, proved the presence of the following fatty acids in the hexane fraction: palmitic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid. Similar fatty acid relationships have been identified in medicinal plants in previous studies. [PERSON] [22], in a study on _Plantago major_, determined the highest amount of \(\alpha\)-linolenic acid (40.04%), followed by palmitic acid (16.59%) and linoleic acid (13.77%). The relationships among fatty acid profiles in medicinal plants were also recorded by [PERSON] [23], who explored the dietary value of raw and processed _Urtica dioica_. Stinging nettic showed the highest \(\alpha\)-linolenic acid content (49.55%). The opposite situation to the previous case was also observed here, since the second highest acid content was attributed to linoleic acid (23.30%), followed by palmitic acid (17.06%). However, in the fatty acid profile of _Melissa officinalis_ leaves, linoleic acid was found to be the dominant acid (74.08%), while palmitic acid was next (15.77%) [24]. In the leaves of _Salvia officinalis_, [PERSON] [25] identified those with 18 carbons in the molecule as the main fatty acids. The acid content decreases with the decrease in the number of double bonds in the acid (or with the decrease in the degree of unsaturation) and is as follows: \(\alpha\)-linolenic acid (45.80%), linoleic acid (14.00%) and oleic acid (9.41%). The polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid (PUFA/SFA) ratio is used when estimating the effect of diet on the cardiovascular system. PUFAs are assumed to lower serum low-density cholesterol (LDL), as opposed to SFAs, which contribute to high serum cholesterol [26].