Cnicus benedictus as a potential low input oil crop

Abstract

Cultivation of oil plants in locations less suited for prime oil plants may provide variation in vegetable oil availability and may contribute to land use diversification. Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus L.) offers potential as an alternative oil crop for cultivation in central Europe. Fruit yields of approximately 2.0–2.5 t/ha and oil yields of 500–700 kg/ha result from sowing in early autumn. Plants are cultivated on medium‐quality soil and demand only limited nitrogen fertilization. Linoleic acid dominates among the fatty acids of C. benedictus oil, similar to other Asteraceae fruit oils. The high tocopherol content in the oil is composed of over 90% α‐tocopherol. C. benedictus fruits contain the lignan glycoside arctiin with 2.5% of grain dry mass.Practical applications: Cnicus benedictus plants can be cultivated in middle Europe with low agricultural costs and efforts. Plants grow well on medium‐quality soil and are not susceptible to illnesses and pests. Regular fruit yields are approximately 2.0–2.5 t/ha. C. benedictus oil is a good source of linoleic acid (>70% of total fatty acids) and of α‐tocopherol (>90% α‐tocopherol of total tocopherols). The oil appears attractive for cosmetics and for technical applications, e.g., as a coating agent. C. benedictus oil may also be suitable for human nutrition, an admission as appropriate food ingredient provided. In addition, C. benedictus oil cake can be exploited as a source for the lignan glycoside arctiin.Fruits of Cnicus benedictus, Asteraceae, contain a fatty oil with high linoleic acid and α‐tocopherol contents. Grain yields of 2.0–2.5 t/ha on medium‐quality soil classify C. benedictus as promising alternative oil crop in mid‐Europe.