Chemical composition, mineral and nutritional value of wild Bischofia javanica seed

The present study investigates chemical composition, mineral and nutritional value of Bischofia javanica seed cultivated in northern India. The seed contains protein 18.69%; carbohydrates 18.91%, crude fiber 5.32% and ash 6.83%. The seed contains phosphorous 391.4 mg/100 gm, calcium 710 mg/100 gm, magnesium 610 mg/100 gm, copper 2.43 mg/100 gm, Iron 2.33 mg/100 gm, potassium 1.25 mg/100 gm, zinc 1.4 mg/100 gm and sodium: 0.08 mg/100 gm .The physico-chemical characteristics of seed oil measured include saponification value: 289.3, iodine value 178.3, acid value 6.59 (mg KOH/gm) refractive index: 1.48. The yield of seed oil was 20.1%, The oil extracted from the seeds of Bischofia javanica was analysed for its chemical composition by Gas chromatograph mass spectroscopy (GCMS), The fatty acids in seed oil were identified as- Linolenic acid 56.76%, Palmitic acid 12.28%, Linoleic acid 12.90%, Oleic acid 12.19%, and Stearic acid 3.86%.This study conclude that Bischofia javanica seeds are good source of food nutrients such as: minerals, proteins and carbohydrates. The seed oil of Bischofia javanica is an important source of essential omega 3 fatty acid i.e. linolenic acid.