Vegetos

Abstract

The oil, protein and glucosinolate contents in the seeds of Brasica juncea var. Ensabi were determined as 34.6%, 32.1% and 34.8 μmol/g respectively. Fatty acid analysis of the Ensabi oil revealed the presence of significant amount of unsaturated fatty acids, namely oleic acid (18.2%) and linoleic acid (16.9%) while lower quantity of saturated fatty acids: stearic acid (1.4%) and palmitic acid (2.8%). It also contained a very high amount of erucic acid (42.0%) whereas other polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linolenic acid (5.5%), eicosenoic acid (8.8%) showed moderate presence. This composition was similar to the one reported for rapeseed (high erucic) oil and could not meet the specifications for human nutrition due to the very high content of long chain unsaturated fatty acid, erucic acid against its absence as recommended by FAO and WHO. Therefore, Ensabi oil can not be used as a vegetable oil for human nutrition.