STUDY OF THE CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION OF SEED AND SEED-OIL OF CICHORIUM-INTYBUS L

Seeds from Cichorium intybus L. harvested at Olavarria (Buenos Aires, Argentine) were defatted with petroleum ether (60 degrees-80 degrees) and the raw oil obtained with a yield of 13.3% dry basis. The crude oi l was examined in their physicochemical characteristics had refractive index of 1.4576 (at 25 degrees), iodine value of 124.3, saponificatio n index of 191,4, unsaponifiable matter of 5.3% and free fatty acid co ntent of 6.0 (mg KOH/g). Gas chromatographic analysis of the oil revea led high levels of linoleic acid (59.8%), nearly 21% of saturated acid s. The residual seed meal contained 16.9% of crude protein, with a low value of available lysine (1.37 g/16 g N). Total and phytic acid phos phorous, calcium, ash, crude fiber, sugar, polisaccharides (non presen ce of starch) and residual lipids contents are reported.