THE PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND SOME MINOR CONSTITUENTS OF POPPY SEEDS

The proximate chemical composition of poppy seeds, along with minerals and water-soluble vitamins content was investigated. The compositions of the fatty acids and tocopherols of the extracted oil were also det ermined. The proximate analysis of poppy seeds showed the following co mposition: (440 g kg(-1)), protein (211 g kg(-1)), moisture (50 g kg(- 1)), ash (63 g kg(-1)), crude fibre (62 g kg(-1)) and total carbohydra tes (236 g kg(-1)). Potassium and calcium were the predominant element s in the poppy seeds. Linoleic acid was the major unsaturated fatty ac id (750 g kg(-1) total fatty acids) while palmitic acid was the main s aturated one (86.4 g kg(-1)). The amounts of alpha-, beta- and delta-t ocopherols found in poppy seed oil were 220 mu g g(-1), 40 mu g g(-1) and 20 mu g g(-1), respectively. Among the water-soluble vitamins dete rmined, pantothenic acid was found at the highest level followed by ni acin and thiamin.