Wattle Seeds—A source for Oil and Protein

Abstract

Wattle bark is well known for its use in leather industry, but the seeds go unutilised. Wattle is grown in Nilgiris on an area extending over 25,000 hectares. It is estimated that from these plantations, wattle seeds would be available to an extent of about one ton per hectare per annum. The seeds contain a light coloured and pleasant smelling oil (about 10%) and protein (18-20%). The oil and protein have been analysed and the use of oil in leather industry has been established. The use of oil for edible and other purposes is under investigation. Albino rats fed on a feed containing wattle seed protein gave promising results.