Agro-biochemical Characterisation of Camelina sativa: A Review

Camelina sativa- an oil seed flowering plant that originated in North Europe and Central Asia is known by many names: gold-of-pleasure, false flax, wild flax and German sesame. Belongs to the Family Cruciferae, genus Camelina and it includes several species. Camelina has several favorable agronomic characteristics, it can be cultivated both in winter and spring season, having a remarkable capacity to adapt and resist to difficult climate conditions and pests. Camelina sativa contains 30-48% oil and 33-47% protein and adequate micronutrients with unique properties for industrial and nutritional applications. In addition, Camelina is a promising oilseed crop for production of edible oil, seed meal for animal feed rations and/or biodiesel feedstock. The high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (about 90%) make camelina oil fast-drying which can be used for making polymers, varnishes, paints, cosmetics and dermatological products. Camelina sativa seed meal consisting of up to 50% crude protein- can be sold asan ingredient for cattle and chicken feed, adding further value to producing camelina. Overall, Camelina oil, due to its composition, has multiple uses in various industries: feed technology, biodiesel production, biopolymer industry, cosmetic industry (skin-conditioning agent), in food products due to its high omega-3 fatty acid content and low erucic acid content and as milk fat substitution.