Initial studies on seed oil composition of Calendula and Lunaria

摘要

Two arable oil seed crops, Calendula offtcinalis (calendula or pot marigold) and Lunaria annua (lunaria or honesty), were evaluated for their oil yield and composition in three preliminary trials at Lincoln. Fourteen cultivars of calendula had oil yields of c. 15%, with calendic acid ester levels ranging from 25 to 50%. As the calendula seed heads matured, seed size, oil content and calendic acid content of the oil all increased. Lunaria produced seeds with 30-35% oil, containing 21-44% erucic acid and 6-20% nervonic acid.