NUTRITIONAL, FATTY-ACID AND OIL CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT AGRICULTURAL SEEDS

Abstract

Recently increased attention has been given to the utilization of agricultural waste products to produce food, feed, fertilizer and as a raw material in certain industries. Such utilization could not only help maximize available resources but at the same time minimize waste disposal problems. Nutritional and oil characteristics of different seeds were investigated. On a dry basis protein contents of 43, 34, 16.1 and 36.9% and oil contents of 19, 50.6, 35.9 and 25.7% were found in maple, pumpkin, citrus and apple seeds, respectively. Determined food energy values averaged 626 kcal/100 g (26.2 kJ/g). The seeds were found to have valuable amounts of essential minerals. The major fatty acid composition was 18 : 2 (linoleic) at concentrations of 39.1, 58.9, 31.9 and 45.6% and total saturated fatty acids of 16.8, 19.7, 42.8 and 12.4% and cis, cis-PUFA contents were 34.1, 46.8, 19.8 and 45.6%, respectively, for maple, pumpkin, citrus and apple; no measurable amounts of trans fatty acids were found.