Functional Properties and Composition of New “Nut” Oil Obtained from Xanthium sibiricum Seeds

To develop new high-nutrient oil resources, eight Xanthium sibiricum seeds (XSs) are used as raw materials for the preparation of oil. The properties, chemical composition, and free radical scavenging capacity of XS oils (XSOs) are evaluated in this study. The characteristics of XSOs from different regions are also compared and analyzed. Results show that XSOs contains a high content of unsaturated fatty acids (up to 90.90%). XSOs are rich in phytochemicals, such as tocopherols (consisting of α-, β-, and γ-tocopherols) and phytosterols (including β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol). The contents of phytochemicals and free radical scavenging capacity in XSOs from Gansu are higher than those in other regions. Furthermore, the free radical scavenging capacities of XSOs are significantly ( p < 0.05) affected by some minor components, especially in α-tocopherol. XSOs generally have high nutritional value, and they could be used as a new alternative to nut oil. Practical applications : The excellent chemical composition and functional properties of XSOs indicate that it could be used as a new edible oil through proper processing. Due to its high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, XSOs is expected to become a functional oil for preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. XSOs could also be developed as a new low-cost “nut oil” with similar characteristics and higher active substance content.