Variability of specific components in Camelina sativa oilseed cakes

During the period 1995-1998 a research project was carried out dealing with oilseed crop-false flax (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz). The project with participants from five EU countries was supported by the European Commission. Extensive new knowledge about agrotechnical aspects and agro-industrial exploitation of the crop was acquired. Authentic documentation was obtained from analyses of C. sativa (CS) seed and oilseed cakes. Thirty representative samples of seed and corresponding thirty samples of oil cakes from the crop grown in 1997, originating from ten different localities in Europe and in Scandinavia, were analysed using advanced analytical technology. The analyses were focussed on evaluation of the oilseed cakes with regard to the exploitation as feedstuff. Different qualitative parameters significant to the biological value of the fodder, such as the content of glucosinolates, sinapine, condensed tannins, inositol phosphates and the content of heavy metals cadmium, nickel and zinc, were determined. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.