Nutritional value of underutilised oil crop Carthamus tinctorius L.

Abstract

Seeds of seven different genotypes of underutilised oil crop Carthamus tinctorius L. (Asteraceae) were analysed for their protein, oil, fatty acids, tocopherols and total phenolics contents, with a view to test their diversity and potential as an alternative source of these valuable compounds. Seeds of tested safflower genotypes had total protein content from 11.5 to 16.0%, while total oil content were from 16.8 to 24.5% of dry matter, on average. Two main unsaturated fatty acids in safflower seeds, oleic and linoleic acids, represent approximately 90% of the total fatty acid content.