Characterization of Berry and Currant Seed Oils from Asturias, Spain
J.C. Bada1, M. León-Camacho2 and L. Alonso1
1Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (CSIC). Villaviciosa, Asturias. Spain
2Instituto de la Grasa (CSIC) Sevilla (Spain)

Raspberry and blackcurrant  are mainly used to produce juices, jams and liqueurs as well as for fresh consumption. They are an exceptional source of vitamin C and have medicinal properties. Worldwide production of these berries has grown significantly in recent years.. Plantations of these berries have been planted and developed in recent years in Asturias, Spain. Annual blueberry production was 60 tonnes, raspberry 20 tonnes, currants 10 tonnes and blackberry 5 tonnes. All are for fresh consumption or for making jams or juices. The oils of these seeds have been shown to help prevent certain types of illnesses such as atopic dermatitis gastric ulcers, influence on the lipid content in plasma and in the immune response. The fat content of blueberries was 13.27 ± 0.11%, of blackberries 15.68 ± 0.59%, of raspberries 10.55 ± 0.82%, of redcurrants 9.11 ± 0.59% and of blackcurrants 26.15 ± 0.76% . The polyunsaturated fatty acid content was also studied, the most notable findings being 67.96 ± 1.96% linoleic acid in blackberries, 14.91 ± 0.11% γ-linolenic acid in blackcurrants and 4.48 ± 0.6% stearidonic acid in redcurrants. The sterol content was likewise studied, the most notable findings being 87.58 ± 1.11% and 10.01 ± 0.08% content in ß-sitosterol and campesterol, respectively, in redcurrants. The most notable finding as regards tocopherols was a content of 109.17 ± 4.96 mg/100g oil in raspberries, of which γ-tocopherol constitutes 58.19 ± 0.61 mg/100g. As to tocotrienol, blackcurrants stood out with a content of 6.43 ± 0.36 mg/100g oil. The information obtained in this study may be used to assess the potential use of the oils from these seeds in foodstuffs for commercialisation for greater added value.