Analysis of the nutritional components in the kernels of yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) accessions

Abstract The oilseed tree species yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) is a promising oil crop; however, the nutritional properties of the kernels have not been adequately explored. This study investigated the nutritional components of the kernels of seven yellowhorn accessions using gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed significant variations in the content of nutritional components detected in the analyzed samples. On average, the kernel oil content was 54.8 g/100 g, and 19 fatty acids were detected. The content of nervonic acid, a relatively rare fatty acid that is indispensable for nervous system development, was 3.80 %. The total concentrations of the eight phytosterols and four tocopherol homologues detected herein were 182.4 and 24.3 mg/100 g, respectively. β-Sitosterol and Δ7-stigmastenol were the most dominant phytosterols, whereas γ-tocopherol was the prevalent homologue of tocopherol. The contents of vitamin A and vitamin C in yellowhorn oil were reported for the first time in this study and were 0.133 and 0.277 mg/100 g, respectively. The total protein content, including that of the 18 detected amino acids, was 26.2 g/100 g. Principal component analysis grouped the accessions into those with high nervonic acid and phytosterol contents, high vitamin C content, high oil and oleic acid content, and moderate levels of the tested compounds.