Novel oilseed of Dracocephalum kotschyi with high n-3 to n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio

The present study investigated the seed of an endemic medicinal plant, Dracocephalum kotschyi for its chemical composition. The physicochemical characteristics of related oil extract were also evaluated. The results showed that the seed was similar to flaxseed in size and had 4.2, 1.7 and 1.1 mm for length, width and thickness, respectively. High content of oil (20%), protein (16.3%) and fiber (36%) implicated that the seed can be suitable for human nutrition or animal feeding. The seed oil contained linolenic acid (61.2%) as predominant fatty acid followed by oleic (18.1%) and linoleic (13.5%) acids. The fatty acid composition revealed that the oil composed of high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids especially n-3 acids. Physicochemical properties such as free fatty acid percentage, peroxide value and color showed that the unrefined oil had acceptable quality and great potential to use as nutritional dietary component.

► In this work a comprehensive research was done on assessment of Dracocephalum kotschyi seed.
► Seed chemical composition as well as physicochemical properties of the seed oil was evaluated.
► The seed contained high content of oil (20%) and protein (16%).
► High level of linolenic acid (61.2%) was observed in fatty acid profile of the oil.
► The oilseed might have potential to be used commercially for human nutrition, industrial applications and animal feeding.