Niger seeds with the scientific name of Guizotia abyssinica Cass and English name of Niger from Asteraceae family contain high‐quality oils with potential applications in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.
Is rapeseed a good oil crop?
Known for its production of high-quality vegetable oil, rapeseed competes with other crops. It is the second-most produced oil crop in the world, after soybean, with 68.02 MT and 337.48 MT in the year 2019/2020, respectively, surpassing sunflower (53.48 MT), peanut (45.52 MT), and cottonseed (44.3 MT) [ 12 ].
What is a Niger plant used for?
These plants are cultivated primarily to produce oils that are suitable for human use and are used in the region. Niger (Guizotia abyssinica L.), a minor oil seed crop, contains 37–47% oil content and is used for food purposes. Niger seeds, which are indigenous to Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Malawi, are also grown in India.
Is niger seed a good source of oil?
Niger seed contains a rich source of oil percentage of 40% (Getinet and Teklewold 1995) with high (75–80%) linoleic fatty acid. It contributes 50% Ethiopian oil production and around 3% Indian oilseed production and best example of soil preservation and sustains land.