UTILIZATION OF ARTICHOI<E (CYNARA SCOLYMUS L.) SEEDS (ROMANIAN STRAIN) CULTIVATED IN EGYPT AS A NON-TRADITIONAL SOURCE OF EDIBLE OIL

Abstract

The study was planned to investigate the possibility of using the artichoke seeds (Cvnara scolymus L.) as a nontraditional source of edible oil. The oil yield was found to be 23.6% of the dry seeds using the extraction method and 18.0% using the commercial hydraulic press method. The seed's oil was found to be nontoxic using doses up to 2ml/100g rat body weight. The color value and appearance indicate that the crude oil can be used for edible purposes.

The acid value for the crude Cynara scolvmus L. oil was found to be 0.2rng KOH/g oil. The values for specific gravity, refractive index, iodine value, saponification number and unsaponifiable matter for corn oil are within the ranges adopted by the FAO/WHO Codex standard specification, and do not differ too much from those of the Cynara scolyrnus L. oil.