Kernel Oil Content Research Articles

Agronomic and Kernel Compositional Traits of Blue Maize Landraces from the Southwestern United States

Diverse landraces of maize have been cultivated for centuries in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico primarily for human food consumption. A striking feature of these landraces is the wide array of kernel colors displayed. Traditional cultivation is declining, but blue maize has received increasing commercial interest due to rising consumer demand for unique food products with health benefits and special culinary uses. We evaluated grain yield, agronomic and morphological traits, and analyzed the kernel biochemical composition of five blue and one purple landraces representative of diversity in the Southwest. These were compared with selected open‐pollinated populations derived from Southwest and Corn Belt blue maize at several New Mexico locations in 2012 and 2013. Kernel amino acids, oil, protein, starch, fatty acids, crude fiber, ash and anthocyanin pigment contents were determined. Grain yield across all locations, years, and accessions averaged 2.11 Mg ha−1. Navajo Blue and Hopi Blue were the highest and lowest yielding accessions, respectively. The majority of southwestern landraces displayed higher oil content, and two displayed higher protein content, than the Corn Belt Dent variety. Little variation in total amino acid content was observed. Several southwestern floury accessions displayed ∼10% greater lysine and methionine than did dent or flint genotypes. Considerable variation for plant, ear, and kernel compositional traits within and across southwestern landraces was consistent with the presence of racial admixtures. The health‐promoting properties of anthocyanin‐rich landraces contribute to sound dietary nutrition and human health. This study further illustrates the diversity of southwestern maize and supports the rationale for their continued conservation through sustained cultivation and utilization. Directed selection to improve grain yield and uniformity will be necessary to enhance their potential for commercial production.

Distant eQTLs and Non-coding Sequences Play Critical Roles in Regulating Gene Expression and Quantitative Trait Variation in Maize

A detailed understanding of genetic architecture of mRNA expression by millions of genetic variants is important for studying quantitative trait variation. In this study, we identified 1.25M SNPs with a minor allele frequency greater than 0.05 by combining reduced genome sequencing (GBS), high-density array technologies (600K), and previous deep RNA-sequencing data from 368 diverse inbred lines of maize. The balanced allelic frequencies and distributions in a relatively large and diverse natural panel helped to identify expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with more than 18 000 genes (63.4% of tested genes). We found that distant eQTLs were more frequent (∼75% of all eQTLs) across the whole genome. Thirteen novel associated loci affecting maize kernel oil concentration were identified using the new dataset, among which one intergenic locus affected the kernel oil variation by controlling expression of three other known oil-related genes. Altogether, this study provides resources for expanding our understanding of cellular regulatory mechanisms of transcriptome variation and the landscape of functional variants within the maize genome, thereby enhancing the understanding of quantitative variations.

Effects of solid-state fermentation with two filamentous fungi on the total phenolic contents, flavonoids, antioxidant activities and lipid fractions of plum fruit (Prunus domestica L.) by-products

Evolutions of phenolic contents and antioxidant activities during solid-state fermentation (SSF) of plum pomaces (from the juice industry) and brandy distillery wastes with Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus oligosporus were investigated. The effect of fermentation time on the oil content and major lipid classes in the plum kernels was also studied. Results showed that total phenolic (TP) amounts increased by over 30% for SSF with Rhizopus oligosporus and by >21% for SSF with A. niger. The total flavonoid contents presented similar tendencies to those of the TPs. The free radical scavenging activities of methanolic extracts were also significantly enhanced. The HPLC-MS analysis showed that quercetin-3-glucoside was the major phenolic compound in both fermented plum by-products. The results also demonstrated that SSF not only helped to achieve higher lipid recovery from plum kernels, but also resulted in oils with better quality attributes (high sterol ester and n-3 PUFA-rich polar lipid contents).

KOMPOSISI ASAM LEMAK DAN BILANGAN IOD MINYAK DARI SEMBILAN VARIETAS KELAPA SAWIT DxP KOMERSIAL DI PPKS

Komposisi asam lemak dan bilangan iod minyak dari sembilan varietas kelapa kelapa sawit DxP komersial di PPKS di antaranya adalah DxP La Mé, DxP Yangambi, DxP Simalungun, DxP Marihat, DxP PPKS 239, DxP PPKS 540, DxP PPKS 718, DxPDumpy, dan DxP Langkat telah dikaji. Kadar crude palm oil (CPO) dari mesokarp kering berkisar antara 63,3 – 88,5% dengan nilai tertinggi dimiliki oleh DxP Yangambi (83,2 ± 5,3%) yang berbeda nyata dengan varietas lainnya. Asam palmitat tertinggi dimiliki oleh DxP Simalungun (47,8 ± 2,1%) sedangkan oleat tertinggi dimiliki oleh DxP La Mé (44,3 ± 2,9%) dan keduanya berbeda nyata dengan varietas lainnya. Jenis asam lemak lain yang dikandung CPO tidak berbeda nyata antar varietas. Bilangan iod CPO tidak berbeda nyata antar varietas dengan nilai tertinggi adalah DxP PPKS 540 (56,5 ± 2,0 Wijs) dan DxP La Mé (55,6±2,6 Wijs) sedangkan terendah adalah DxP Simalungun (50,1 ± 2,2 Wijs). Kadar palm kernel oil (PKO) pada kernel kering tidak berbeda nyata antar varietas berkisar antara 44,1 – 56,0%. Komposisi asam lemak utama PKO adalah asam laurat (44,3 – 49,7%), miristat (14,0 – 17,7%), oleat (14,4 – 19,7%), dan palmitat (7,6 – 9,4%). Asam lemak pada PKO tidak berbeda nyata antar varietas kecuali asam miristat yang dikandung oleh DxP PPKS 718. Bilangan iod PKO tidak berbeda nyata antar varietas dengan nilai tertinggi adalah DxP Marihat 21,6 ± 1,6 Wijs sedangkan terendah adalah DxP La Mé 19,6 ± 2,3 Wijs.

Maturity indices ofCanarium indicum(Burseraceae) nuts

Many tree nuts are harvested from the ground following abscission, but some are harvested directly from trees when fruit is mature. Canarium indicum (Burseraceae) is a tropical nut indigenous to lowland rainforest of Melanesia that has great potential for commercialization. The nut is enclosed in a fleshy mesocarp that turns from green to purple before abscission and is usually gathered from the forest floor. Maturity of other nuts is often related to oil content and there may be a relationship between C. indicum fruit colour, kernel oil content and maturity. We observed the timing of colour change of fruit of C. indicum on trees over 8 weeks. We also compared the colour change in fruit at the top of the tree and the bottom of the tree over 8 weeks. Oil was extracted from kernels of purple, half-purple and green fruit with a Soxhlet-type apparatus. Kernels in each fruit colour category were weighed to obtain mean kernel weight in each colour category. Around 80% of C. indicum fruit ripened from green to purple and abscised over a period of 8 weeks. Fruit ripened first at the top of the tree. Purple or half-purple fruit of C. indicum produced kernels with a significantly higher oil content than green fruit (76.6 and 76.3% compared with 72.8%). Kernels from green fruits were small, shrivelled and weighed significantly less than kernels from purple and half-purple fruit. These results demonstrate that fruit colour of C. indicum is a suitable indicator of kernel maturity and oil content. Purple to half-purple fruit colour is a suitable harvest standard.

Lipid profiles of a diverse collection ofCorylusspecies and interspecific hybrids

Hazelnuts (Corylus sp.) are a low-input, perennial crop that hold potential as a source of healthy culinary oil and feedstock for biofuels. Until recently, production of hazelnuts in the eastern United States was limited due to the fungal disease eastern filbert blight (EFB). Over the past several years, a number of sources of resistance to EFB have been identified and are being used in breeding. To date, however, little has been done to characterize the oil content and lipid profiles of these EFB-resistant breeding parents. In this study, the total kernel oil content and fatty acid profiles of four C. avellana cultivars were compared to nine diverse, EFB-resistant Corylus accessions representing three wild species (C. americana, C. heterophylla, and C. colurna) and various interspecific hybrids with C. avellana. Results showed that, on average, the wild/interspecific hybrid accessions had a lower kernel oil content - 60.3% - than the pure C. avellana cultivars - 67.2% - although there was some variation across accessions. Results also showed that the 13 accessions had a relatively uniform fatty acid profile, which was comprised mostly of oleic acid (~80%) and linoleic acid (~11%). Linoleic acid content was found to be more variable than oleic acid content. The relatively high kernel oil content and consistent fatty acid profile (high unsaturated/saturated FA ratio) suggest that multiple hazelnut species may be ideal for use as both a bio-fuel feedstock and a culinary oil. Minor (or simple) selection of breeding parents would help overcome the slight oil content deficiencies and allow for the use of wild species in the development of new, more widely adapted cultivars.

Correlation and path analysis of yield and yield components of confectionary sunflower

Path coefficient analysis was applied to gain information on direct and indirect effects of studied traits (seed oil content, kernel oil content, seed protein content, kernel protein content, head diameter, kernel ratio and plant height) on sunflower seed yield. Traits which exhibit the highest effects on seed yield will be used as a selection criterion in confectionary sunflower breeding. The research was conducted during three vegetation seasons on 22 experimental confectionary sunflower hybrids, created in breeding program the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops. Among the largest number of examined traits, significant and highly significant correlations were found. With the analysis of simple correlation coefficients a low interdependence was determined between, kernel protein content, plant heights with seed yield. Negative but weak correlation was determined between kernel oil content, seed protein content, kernel ratio with seed yield. Established a negative strong correlation of head diameter (-0.190*) and negative very strong correlation of seed oil content (-0.351**) with seed yield. The seed oil content had a very strong direct negative effect on seed yield (DE=-0.831**). The head diameter, plant height, seed protein content had weak negative direct effect on seed yield. Kernel protein content and kernel oil content has demonstrated a weak direct positive effect on seed yield. Path coefficient analysis for seed yield showed very strong direct effect for kernel ratio (DE=0.487*) on seed yield, it shows that the kernel ratio is important selection criterion for confectionary sunflower breeding.

Detection of quantitative trait loci for kernel oil and protein concentration in a B73 and Zheng58 maize cross.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important food crops throughout the world, and provides oil and proteins to humans and livestock. Kernel oil and protein content in maize are two complex quantitative traits. In order to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling oil and protein concentration in maize kernels, and to evaluate their genetic effects, QTL analysis was conducted on an F3:4 population derived from a cross between an inbred line with a low oil and protein concentration (Zheng58) and an inbred line with a higher oil and protein concentration (B73). A total of 189 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers were used to construct a linkage map. Eleven QTLs for kernel oil concentration were detected on nine chromosomes, except for chromosome 9. A single QTL explained 4.6 to 11.1% of the phenotypic variance. Ten QTLs for kernel protein concentration were also detected on nine chromosomes, except for chromosome 9. A single QTL explained 4.2 to 11.4% of the phenotypic variance. Interestingly, novel QTLs for oil concentration (qOIL08-01 and qOIL10-01) and QTLs for protein concentration (qPRO01-01 and qPRO05-01) were specific to the population studied, which could explain 7.1 to 11.1% of the phenotypic variance. These results will provide better understanding of the genetic basis of oil and protein concentrations in maize. The markers closely linked with the QTLs will facilitate breeding of maize varieties with high oil and protein concentrations through molecular marker-assisted selection.

CarbonQuest: Unfolding the Map of Seed Metabolism

In view of our rapid growing demands on vegetable oil, enhancing fatty acid synthesis in maize (Zea mays) represents tremendous nutritional and economic benefits. In corn kernels, the endosperm and the embryo are the main site for synthesis and accumulation of starch and oil, respectively. So far, breeding efforts to achieve elevated oil content in maize resulted in smaller endosperm and therefore lower yield. We hypothesize that the key to increasing oil content in maize kernels without affecting the yield lies on directly changing their carbon metabolism. To test our hypothesis, we compared the intracellular metabolite levels in maize embryos from two different maize lines, Alex synthetic (Alex) and LH59, which accumulate 48 and 34% of oil, respectively. The comparative metabolomics highlighted the metabolites and pathways that were active in maize embryos and important for oil production. The contribution of each pathway to fatty acid synthesis in terms of carbon, reductant and energy provision was assessed by measuring the carbon flow through the metabolic network (13C‐Metabolic Flux Analysis) in developing Alex and LH59 embryos to build maps of carbon flow through central metabolism. Our approach combined mathematical modeling with biochemical quantification to identify metabolic bottlenecks in fatty acid synthesis in maize embryos. Transgenic maize plants that we generated to overexpress a lead gene increased embryo fatty acid content by 35% without affecting the size of the kernel. This study hence describes the combination of innovative tools that will pave the way for controlling seed composition in important food crops.

Correlation and path coefficient analysis for protein yield in confectionary sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The most important criteria for introducing new confectionary hybrids into the production is high protein yield. Path coefficient analysis was used to obtain information on direct and indirect effects of studied traits (seed oil content, kernel oil content, seed yield, kernel protein content, mass of 1000 seeds, kernel ratio and hull ratio) on protein yield. The research was conducted during three vegetation seasons, on 22 experimental confectionary sunflower hybrids created in the breeding program at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops. Strong and very strong correlations were found among the largest number of examined traits. A weak negative interdependence was determined between kernel oil content, kernel protein content, mass of 1000 seeds, hull ratio, and protein yield using the analysis of simple correlation coefficients. Positive but weak correlation was determined between protein yield and seed oil content, and kernel ratio. Very strong positive correlation was determined between protein yield and seed yield (0.468**). The seed oil content had a very strong direct negative effect on protein yield (DE=-0.734**). The mass of 1000 seeds had a weak negative direct effect on protein yield. Kernel protein content and kernel oil content demonstrated a weak direct positive effect on protein yield. Path coefficient analysis of protein yield showed a very strong positive direct effect of kernel ratio (DE=1.340**), seed yield (DE=0.657**) and hull ratio (DE=0.992*). These findings confirm the effect of seed yield, kernel ratio, and hull ratio on protein yield, and their importance as the selection criteria in confectionary sunflower breeding.

Oil content and fatty acid composition of the kernels of 31 genotypes of Chinese dwarf cherry [Cerasus humilis (Bge.) Sok.

SUMMARYWith rising consumer demand for plant oils, several attempts have been made to find new oilseed plants or to genetically modify the fatty acid compositions of existing species. We have examined the potential of a new oilseed plant that has a nutritionally and industrially beneficial fatty acid composition in its kernel oil. The oil contents and fatty acid compositions of mature kernels from 31 genotypes of Chinese dwarf cherry [Cerasus humilis (Bge.) Sok] were determined. Correlations among different fatty acids and oil contents were examined to create an understanding of their inter-relations for future breeding programmes. Total oil contents ranged from 38.2–46.7% (w/w). Our study revealed five dominant fatty acids in the kernel oil of Chinese dwarf cherry. The predominant fatty acids were oleic acid [57.08–76.19% (w/w)] and linoleic acid [20.06–37.75% (w/w)], followed by palmitic acid [3.19–4.76% (w/w)], palmitoleic acid [0.25–0.72% (w/w)], and stearic acid [0.09–0.12% (w/w)]. Total oil contents were negatively correlated with palmitic and stearic acid contents, and positively correlated with oleic acid content. A significant negative correlation was found between the concentrations of linoleic acid (C18:2) and oleic acid (C18:1; r = -0.996). These results showed that selecting for high total oil content in Chinese dwarf cherry kernels should lead to a concomitant reduction in palmitic and stearic acid contents, and an increase in oleic acid levels.

Oil composition in stored walnut cultivars—quality and nutritional value

The effects of temperature and O2 availability on quality attributes and nutritional value of oil in four walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars (Chandler, Hartley, Franquette, and Ioli) were investigated. Dried kernels, all of initial high quality, were packaged under air or N2 or CO2 and stored at 1 °C or 20 °C for 12 months. Results showed that the saturated fatty acids (SFA) myristic, palmitic, stearic, and arachidic remained stable during storage, whereas the unsaturated palmitoleic, oleic (OL), gondoic, linoleic (LL) and linolenic (LN) decreased, with the stable vaccenic being the exception. Rancidity, assessed as free fatty acids and peroxide value, increased after 12 months, and rancidity evolution found to be correlated with LL and LN, but not with OL. In all cultivars, low temperature and N2 or CO2 prevented additively the fatty acid (FA) losses and rancidity increases. The best results were obtained in walnuts stored at 1 °C under N2 or CO2, while storage at 20 °C under air led to the greatest product deterioration. However, storage at 20 °C under N2 or CO2 and at 1 °C under air showed intermediate results and similar among them. The cultivar affected the kernel oil content and FA profile initially, as well as, the FA decreases and rancidity development during storage. The omega‐6/omega‐3 ratio largely depended on cultivar and was affected by storage conditions. Overall, the storability of the studied cultivars in descending order was Chandler > Hartley, Franquette > Ioli.Practical applications: Storage at 1 °C under N2 or CO2 for 12 months retained the peroxide value (PV) lower than 3 meq O2 kg−1 oil and the free fatty acids (FFA) up to 0.6%, cut‐off values for acceptable walnuts, as suggested by the walnut industry in California. Storage at 20 °C under N2 or CO2 increased the PV value up to 10 meq O2 kg−1 oil, being the upper acceptable limit according to panel tests in studies. For energy savings, the 12‐months storage at 20 °C with low O2 availability can substitute the storage at 1 °C under air. Rancidity development and nutritional value related to fatty acids largely depended on cultivar. Thus, the cultivar factor should also be considered for storage purposes and according to the destination markets.Effects of temperature and packaging atmosphere on rancidity and nutritional value related to oil composition in stored dried kernels of walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars. The present results are summarized in the bi‐plot (combination of score and load plots) of Principal Component Analysis. Each color corresponds to each cultivar. Rhombuses, circles, squares, and triangles, corresponding to different storage conditions, indicate the position of each walnut sample in score plot. Daggers indicate the position of major fatty acids and indicators of rancidity in load plot.

Oil Yield Components of Maize Crops Exposed to Heat Stress during Early and Late Grain‐Filling Stages

ABSTRACTHeat stress frequently limits grain yield of summer crops. Most research on maize (Zea mays L.) has analyzed heat stress effects on crop physiology and kernel set but little attention has been given to kernel weight and its composition. The objectives of this work were (i) to assess the response of maize oil yield components (kernel number and weight, embryo oil concentration, and embryo/kernel ratio) to postflowering heat stress and (ii) to explore changes in the sensitivity to this constraint across developmental stages and genotypes. Hybrids with different kernel types (flint, popcorn, and semident) were exposed to contrasting temperature regimes (nonheated and heated: air temperature at ear level > 35°C) during early or late stages of the effective grain filling. Oil yield was affected by early (up to −60%), and to a lesser extent, late (up to −40%) heat‐stress episodes. These effects were mediated by lighter kernels (r2 = 0.94; P < 0.001) and lower kernel oil concentrations (r2 = 0.80; P < 0.001). Reductions of kernel weight were related to shorter grain‐filling periods (r2 = 0.48; P < 0.01), and those of kernel oil concentration were mainly associated with lower embryo oil concentrations (r2 = 0.64; P < 0.001). Kernels of semident hybrids were the most prone to alter their weights and oil concentrations in the face of a wide range of heat stress intensities. Variations in kernel oil concentration due to high temperature became notorious when kernel weight reductions were larger than 20%.

Characterization, physicochemical stability, and evaluation of in vitro digestibility of solid lipid microparticles produced with palm kernel oil and tristearin

Solid lipid particles have been investigated by food researchers due to their ability to enhance the incorporation and bioavailability of lipophilic bioactives in aqueous formulations. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the physicochemical stability and digestibility of lipid microparticles produced with tristearin and palm kernel oil. The motivation for conducting this study was the fact that mixing lipids can prevent the expulsion of the bioactive from the lipid core and enhance the digestibility of lipid structures. The lipid microparticles containing different palm kernel oil contents were stable after 60 days of storage according to the particle size and zeta potential data. Their calorimetric behavior indicated that they were composed of a very heterogeneous lipid matrix. Lipid microparticles were stable under various conditions of ionic strength, sugar concentration, temperature, and pH. Digestibility assays indicated no differences in the release of free fatty acids, which was approximately 30% in all analises. The in vitro digestibility tests showed that the amount of palm kernel in the particles did not affect the percentage of lipolysis, probably due to the high amount of surfactants used and/or the solid state of the microparticles.

Genetic diversity of maize germplasm assessed by retrotransposon‐based markers

Maize is one of the most important crops and also a model for grass genome research. Transposable elements comprise over 78% of the maize genome and their ability to generate new copies makes them good potential markers. Interretrotransposon-amplified polymorphism (IRAP) and retrotransposon microsatellite amplified polymorphism (REMAP) protocols were used for the first time in maize to study the genetic variability between maize cultivars. Ten PCR primers were selected based on a systematic analysis of the sequence conservation in the extremities of different high copy number transposable elements, whereas one primer was chosen based on a microsatellite sequence. Of the 16 primer combinations tested, 14 produced polymorphic bands. These markers were used to identify genetic similarity among 20 maize cultivars selected by their different kernel oil content. Genetic similarity analysis was performed based on the polymorphic band profiles and dendrograms were developed by the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages. Clustering technique revealed that samples were grouped into three clusters that differed in their kernel oil content and size, and in their relative embryo size. In the current investigation, there is evidence that IRAP/REMAP may be useful as markers in maize.

Seed and oil quality characteristics of some castor (Ricinus Communis L.) inbred lines

Castor (Ricinus communis L) is an important non-edible oilseed crop with diversified industrial usage. India is dominating in the production and productivity of castor. Thirteen inbred lines were studied for seed physical characteristics, oil quality, as well as fatty acid profile. Among the inbred studied, the maximum weight of 100 seed was 34.2 g, in JC-26, and maximum oil content was 51.3% in SKI-333. One hundred seed wt showed a positive correlation with % of kernel (r=0.472*) and seed oil content has positive correlation with kernel oil content (r=0.803**). Important oil characteristics for industrial use like specific gravity (g/cc) varied from 0.954 to 0.958 while the viscosity (cp) ranged from 604 to 626. The free Fatty acid as oleic acid was ranging between 4.33 to 6.02%. Among the fatty acid, the ricinolic acid was ranging from 83.93 to 87.02%, the minimum value was in 48-1 while the maximum value of ricinolic acid was recorded in DCS-9 inbred.

Biomethanated distillery spentwash and pressmud biocompost as sources of plant nutrients for groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A field experiment was conducted to study the impact of biomethanated distillery spentwash and pressmud biocompost in various proportions with inorganic fertilizers on yield attributes, yield, oil and protein content of groundnut at Research and Development Farm of M/s. Bhavani Distilleries and Chemicals Ltd., T. Pudur, Thimiri, Tamil Nadu. Results of the field experiment revealed that yield and yield attributes viz., number of matured pods, 100 kernel weight and shelling percentage of groundnut were improved by the application of biomethanated distillery spentwash and pressmud biocompost compared to recommended NPK as chemical fertilizers. One-time pre-sown application of BDS @ 100 m3ha-1 along with recommended NP in groundnut registered higher pod, grain and haulm yield of 1774, 1272 and 4668 kg ha-1, respectively and the increase was to the tune of 35.83, 43.57 and 46.01 per cent, respectively over control. Similar to yield, BDS application increased the protein and oil content of groundnut kernels significantly. The net returns and benefit cost ratio of sugarcane were also as high as Rs.19,612 ha-1 and 1.90 for the treatment that received pre-sown application of BDS @ 100 m3ha-1 along with recommended NP as compared to control of Rs.19,612 ha-1 and 1.38, respectively. This concludes that the biomethanated distillery spentwash can be conveniently used as source of plant nutrients for groundnut.

Variation in seed traits and oil content in 24 Jatropha curcas L. seed sources from Asia, Africa and Papua New Guinea

Abstract This study was carried out to determine the extent of variation in seed traits and oil content among 24 seeds sources of Jatropha curcas from 8 countries in Asia, Africa and Papua New Guinea. There were marked differences in the length (range 15.88-19 mm), breadth (10.20-11.71 mm), thickness (7.95-9.37 mm) and volume index of seed (1337-2000 mm3), weight of seed (42.67-80.20 g) and kernel (18.44-51.04 g), kernel/seed ratio (0.43-0.66), and oil content in seed (18.08-37.89%) and kernel (34.02-59.09%). In general, seeds from Laos, Mali, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Thailand were larger and heavier than sources from China and India, but contained lower oil content in seed and kernel. Principal component analysis revealed that seed and kernel weight and oil content in whole seed and in kernel were useful characteristics in explaining the variation pattern among seed sources. Seven out of the 24 seed sources investigated in this study are considered promising for planting for oil-seed production. This study underpins the importance of selecting suitable seed sources for commercial plantation establishment of J. curcas.

The Analysis on Fat Characteristics of Walnut Varieties in Different Production Areas of Shanxi Province

To gain knowledge of the fat characteristics of walnut varieties in different production areas of Shanxi Province, kernel oil content and its fatty acid composition of 6 walnut varieties were analyzed by using soxhlet extraction method and gas chromatography. The experiment sites were Yicheng and Tunliu. Yicheng has 800 m of altitude and 11 ºC of annual mean temperature while Tunliu has 1100 m of altitude and 9.3 ºC of annual mean temperature. The results indicated between Yicheng and Tunliu County, the most variety’s oil content was increased with increasing of altitude, but had no significant difference (64.9% > 64.3%, P > 0.05). Both the content of oleic acid and linoleic acid showed a significant difference between Tunliu and Yicheng, and there is a negative relationship between the contents of oleic and linoleic acid. Annual mean temperature has an obvious influence on ?-linolenic acid (ALA) content of walnut. The content of ALA from Yicheng with higher annual mean temperature is higher than that from Tunliu with lower annual mean temperature. The nutrition analysis showed that Tunliu’ walnut kernel has a lower saturated fatty acids (SFA) (7.6% < 8.2%, P < 0.05) and a higher unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) (92.5% > 91.8%, P < 0.05) compared to Yicheng, respectively, but the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content of Yicheng was higher than that of Tunliu (76.3% > 68.5%, P < 0.05), and its ratio of N-6/N-3 was also better compared to Tunliu (5.4:1 < 5.9:1). These results showed that with the different altitude and annual mean temperature, the walnut nutrition of fat is also different. Higher altitude and lower annual mean temperature can help to produce oleic-rich walnut while lower altitude and higher annual mean temperature is helpful for the higher content of ALA in walnut kernel.

Properties of Manchurian apricot (Prunus mandshurica Skv.) and Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) seed kernel oils and evaluation as biodiesel feedstocks

This study presents the first reported evaluation of Manchurian apricot (Prunus mandshurica Skv.) seed kernel oil as a promising feedstock for biodiesel preparation, including a comparison with Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) oil. The oil content of the Manchurian apricot kernels (55.17±5.52%) was somewhat higher than that of the Siberian apricot kernels. Similar to Siberian apricot, Manchurian apricot oil has low acid value, indicating that the two oils enabled direct base-catalyzed transesterified for biodiesel production without acid pretreatment. The fatty acid compositions of Manchurian apricot and Siberian apricot oils determined results showed a high percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids (69.15% and 67.78%, respectively). Other than cetane number and oxidation stability, the properties of biodiesel made from the two oils conformed to EN 14214-08, ASTM D6751-10 and GB/T 20828-07 standards. In general, Manchurian apricot represents a potentially useful biodiesel feedstock.