Niger seed or niger seed oil is also used in perfumes as a carrier of the scents and fragrances (Getinet & Teklewold, 1995 ). Niger seed oil has a fatty acid composition typical for seed oils of the Compositae family (e.g., safflower and sunflower), with linoleic acid as the dominant fatty acid.
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.
What is the fatty acid composition of Niger seed oil?
Niger seed oil has a fatty acid composition typical for seed oils of the Compositae family (e.g., safflower and sunflower), with linoleic acid as the dominant fatty acid. The fatty acid composition of niger seed oil typically 7?8% palmitic and stearic acids, 5?25% oleic acid, and 55?80% linoleic acid (Getinet & Teklewold, 1995 ).
Is Niger a safflower?
Niger is an oilseed that humans have cultivated for approximately 5000 years. G. abyssinica is widely grown in South India and Ethiopia, which are the two main producing countries. In other parts of the world, niger is mainly cultivated as an oilseed crop. Niger seed belongs to the same botanical family as sunflower and safflower (Compositae).