A general account of Oil seed crops – Mustard, Sesame, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower
Oil Seed Crops:- Fatty oils are obtained from different plant parts such as stem, fruit and seeds.
Vegetable Fatty Oils:- Four classes of vegetable fatty oils are recognized:
i. Drying oils:- The drying oils are able to absorb oxygen and on exposure dry into thin elastic films. They are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and linolenic acids. These oils are of great importance in the paint and varnish industries. e. g, linseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil etc.
ii. Semidrying oils:- The semidrying oils absorb oxygen slowly and only in limited amounts. They form a soft film only after long exposure. They are fairly rich in linoleic and saturated fatty acids but do not contain linolenic acid. Some of these oils are edible; others are used as illuminants or in making soap and candles. Some common are sesame oil, mustard oil and sunflower oil.
iii. Non-drying oils:- The non-drying oils remain liquid at ordinary temperatures and do not form a film. They are fairly rich in oleic and saturated fatty acids. These oils are edible, and can be used for soap and lubricants. Some important are ground nut oil, castor oil, and olive oil.
iv. Fats:- The fats are solid or semisolid at ordinary temperatures. They are fairly rich in saturated fatty acids They are edible and useful in the manufacture of soap and candles. e.g. coconut oil and palm oil.
1. Mustard:-
Botanical Name:- Brassica campestris
Family:- Cruciferae or Brassicaceae
Introduction:-
> It is an herb and is grown as an oil seed crop mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar and Assam.
> The oil content is 32 to 40%.
> Erucic acid is the characteristic fatty acid of mustard oil.
> The oil is extracted by expression or solvent.
Economic Botany:-
> The oil is used for cooking and burning.
> It is also used in ayurvedic medicines as liniment or for massage in paralytic diseases and in gum diseases.
> It is used in tanning process.
> The oil cake is used as cattle feed and as a fertilizer.
2. Sesame:-
Botanical Name:- Sesamum indicum
Family:- Pedaliaceae
Introduction:-
> Sesame is an important and oldest grown oilseed crop in the world.
> It is also known as til or gingely apartment from various other local names in India.
> Sesame is reported to be originated in South Africa and was introduced to India by migrants prior to the Indus valley civilization.
> India is the largest producer of sesame.
> It is widely preferred for its qualities of high drought tolerance and the highest oil content in the seeds.
> There mainly two distinct types of sesame seeds are popular viz., white and black though a few other varieties varying from red to rose or from brown or grey are also available.
Economic Botany:-
> Seeds:- Sesame seeds are used in various food and snack preparations as well as in salad dressing.
> Oil:- Sesame seeds contain the highest oil compared to any other oilseed to an extent of 50% and above. The unique qualities of sesame oil are stability and resistance to rancidity, with long shelf life due to the presence of the high level of natural antioxidants.
> Meal:- Sesame seeds are rich in protein with about 25% of their weight. Sesame meal contains 35-50% protein and used as feed for poultry and livestock.
3. Groundnut:-
Botanical Name:- Arachis hypogaea
Family:- Papilionaceae
Introduction:-
> Groundnut, a native to Brazil, is an important source of oil.
> It is a low growing herb of tropical and sub-tropical regions.
> The crop is largely grown in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.
> The oil is expressed from seeds both by hydraulic presses and expellers.
> Oil content of seeds varies from 40 to 50%.
> It is also rich in phosphorus and vitamins.
> Oil contains mainly oleic acid.
Economic Botany:-
> It is predominantly used for culinary purposes.
> It is used for the manufacture of vegetable ghee by hydrogenation.
> The oil is used as a laxative and emollient.
> It is also used in soap making, in leather dressings, furniture creams and in making shaving creams, cold creams, candles etc.
> The oil cakes are used as feed for animals and as a manure.
4. Soybean:-
Botanical Name:- Glycine max
Family:- Fabaceae
Introduction:-
> It is an important oil seed crop.
> Brazil is projected to be the largest producer of soybeans in the world followed by the United States & Argentina.
> Cultivated soybean seeds have an oil content of approximately 18–22%, whereas wild soybean seeds contain about 8–10% oil
> The leading producer of soybean in India is Madhya Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Economic Botany:-
> Soybean oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the soybean.
> It is one of the most widely consumed cooking oils and the second most consumed vegetable oil.
> As a drying oil, processed soybean oil is also used as a base for printing inks (soy ink) and oil paints.
> An edible oil pressed from the seeds is used to make margarine and as a stabilizing agent in the processing of food and the manufacture of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
> The oil is employed in such industrial products as paint, varnish, printing ink, soaps, insecticides, and disinfectants.
5. Sunflower:-
Botanical Name:- Helianthus annuus
Family:- Compositae or Asteraceae
Introduction:-
> It is an important oil seed crop of India.
> Sunflower seeds contain 42 to 50% oil.
> In India it is cultivated mainly in Karnataka Maharashtra Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
> The oil contains mainly unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acids).
Economic Botany:-
> Sunflower oil is a very good cooking medium.
> Sunflower oil contains protein and vitamin A.
> It is easily digested.
> It is also used in making paints and soap.