Chemical composition of the potential new oilseed cropsBarbarea vulgaris,Barbarea verna andLepidium campestre

Abstract

Barbarea vulgaris, Barbarea verna and Lepidium campestre were selected as potential new oilseed crops. To evaluate the nutritional and technological quality of the seeds, the chemical composition was studied. The major constituents found were dietary fibre, crude fat and crude protein. Barbarea contained about 350 g kg−1 dietary fibre, 295 g kg −1 crude fat and 170 g kg−1 crude protein, while Lepidium contained about 400 g kg−1 dietary fibre, 200 g kg−1 crude fat and 190 g kg−1 protein. The amino acid composition was found to be suitable for human consumption when comparison with the amino acid pattern for high quality protein was made. Fatty acid composition was dominated by erucic acid in B vulgaris (28%) and B verna (50%) and by linolenic acid in L campestre (34%). Insoluble dietary fibres were dominated by Klason lignin in both Barbarea and Lepidium. Uronic acid and glucose residues were also found in large amounts. Soluble dietary fibres were dominated by uronic acid, arabinose and galactose residues. The major glucosinolates found were glucobarbarin in B vulgaris (108 μmol g−1), gluconasturtiin in B verna (106 μmol g−1) and sinalbin in L campestre (110 μmol g−1). No cyanogens were found in any of the seeds. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry