Crambe seed processing: Removal of glucosinolates by water extraction

Abstract

Abstract A method is reported for removing epi ‐progoitrin, the major glucosinolate, from crambe seed meal. Defatted meal was cooked and water extracted or treated with soda ash and then water extracted. Although soda ash aided destruction and removal of glucosinolate factors, there was a 28% reduction in total lysine. In animal feeding tests designed to reflect differences due to toxic factors, soda ash treated and water extracted meals gave the best results. No toxicity was apparent in rats and chicks fed these meals in nutritionally adequate diets. The rat diet included 30% crambe meal for 90 days; the chick diet, 20% crambe meal for 4 weeks. Pathological examinations in both series showed no organ damage.