Abstract
Interest in new sources of oil crops is increasing. The aim of the current work was to evaluate the effect of harvest time on protein content and lipids profile of wild Styrax officinalis seeds from different locations in Turkey. Eight wild styrax (Styrax officinalis L.) plants were collected from different Turkish locations at two harvest periods. Seeds were analyzed for protein content, oil content and fatty acid composition. Seeds from different locations were rich in oil (42.86-53.40%) and protein (12.89-18.19%). Styrax officinalis seed oils were rich in linoleic acid (C18:2) ranging from 66.13 to 73.87%. Oleic acid (C18:1) was the main monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), wherein its levels ranged between 16.11 and 22.75% in the oil samples. In the most of Styrax officinalis seeds, protein and oil content showed an increasing trend when harvest time prolonged. In addition, the proportions of linoleic acid increased in Styrax officinalis oils at the second harvest time as compared with those at the first harvest time. In contrast, oleic acid and palmitic acid contents were mostly higher at the first harvest time.