The Kernel Oil Content and Nutrient Components of Prunus tangutica
Taking Prunus tangutica grown in Gansu province as material,its general components of seed,conventional nutrients of kernel,fatty acid compositions and main bioactive substances of kernel oil were determined and analyzed.The results showed:The kernel,impurities and moisture content in the seed was 37.80%,9.00%and 6.32%respectively;The oil,protein,crude fiber,moisture and ash content in the seed kernel was 45.20%,30.35%,4.19%,4.25%and 2.85%respectively;Total 10 kinds of fatty acids were detected in kernel oil,among them,the content of saturated fatty acids was low and it was 6.88%,mainly as Palmitic acid(4.92%)and Stearic acid(1.81%),while the content of unsaturated fatty acids was high with 93.15%.Besides,oleic acid(73.10%)and linoleic acid(19.60%)as the main fatty acids.Above all,the kernel oil of Prunus tangutica was rich in bioactive substances such as squalene,vitamin E,polyphenol etc.The content of vitamin E was higher(409.30 mg/kg),and it presented in the form of α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol,mainly as γ-tocopherol,followed by squalene(347.90 mg/kg),polyphenol was lower and its content was less than 6.0 mg/kg.Therefore,the Prunus tangutica had high kernel yield in seed,high oil content in kernel and ample nutrient components,so it was one kind of nutritious plant oil source and had potential for being developed as new high quality edible oil.