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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #351639
Research Project: Improved Utilization of Proteinaceous Crop Co-Products

Location: Plant Polymer Research

Title: Alternative oilseed crops (Camelina, Cuphea, Lesquerella, Pennycress): Novel protein sources for industrial uses

Author
item Hojilla-Evangelista, Milagros - Mila
item Evangelista, Roque
item Selling, Gordon
item Berhow, Mark

Submitted to: Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/21/2018
Publication Date: 5/5/2019
Citation: Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P., Evangelista, R.L., Selling, G.W., Berhow, M.A. 2019. Alternative oilseed crops (Camelina, Cuphea, Lesquerella, Pennycress): Novel protein sources for industrial uses [abstract]. Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Current interest in alternative protein sources is driven not only by the ongoing upward trend in global protein demand, but also by the high potential for use in industrial markets other than food and feed. Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.), camelina (Camelina sativa), lesquerella (Lesquerella fendleri), and Cuphea (C. viscosissima x C. lanceolata) are non-traditional oilseed crops that contain substantial protein in the seeds (33, 44, 23, and 20% db, respectively). We investigated the proteins from these four crops for composition, amino acid profile, extractability, and functional properties [solubility, foaming, emulsification, water-holding capacity (WHC) or heat coagulability]. SDS-PAGE revealed that the seed proteins of the crops were not large, as all polypeptide bands resolved below the 100 kDa marker. Cuphea protein was made up primarily of glutelin and showed highest solubility (> 90%) at pH 10. Lesquerella protein contained mainly glutelin and globulin, were most soluble (> 60% soluble proteins) at pH 2 and 10, and also had high WHC (8 g water/g protein). Camelina protein had acid-glutelin and albumin as major fractions. Pennycress seed protein (predominantly albumin and globulin) had poor solubility, but excellent foaming and emulsifying capacities. The isolate form of pennycress seed protein (92% db crude protein) is much more soluble (> 80% from pH 2-10) and also heat-stable. Protein-mucilage material was also obtained from lesquerella, camelina, and pennycress. These new proteins have properties that are desirable for pressurized foams, emulsions or adhesives.