Physicochemical Properties and Nutrition Element Contents of Citrus Seeds and Agroindustrial Waste

Abstract

A number of physicochemical properties and mineral contents of seeds belonging to selected varieties of Citrus species were determined. While mean length values of mandarin seeds varied between 10.56 mm ‘Mineola’ and 11.80 mm ‘Klementin’, mean width values of mandarin seeds measured between 5.46 mm ‘Mineola’ and 5.97 mm ‘Klementin’. In addition, mean thickness and hull/seed values of mandarin seeds varied between 3.13 mm ‘Nova’ and 4.37 mm ‘Mineola’ and 0.23 mm ‘Nova’ and 0.38 mm ‘Fairchild’, respectively. Mean crude protein and oil contents of mandarin seeds were between 14.10% ‘Fremont’ and 17.63% ‘Mineola’ and 31.03% ‘Mineola’ and 42.59% ‘Nova’, respectively. Also, mean crude fibre contents of mandarin seeds ranged from 13.55 ‘Nova’ and 20.02% ‘Mineola’. Mandarin seeds contained 3.82 ‘Nova’ to 5.67% ‘Fairchild’ galactose, 4.74 ‘Klementin’ to 7.24% sacharose ‘Fairchild’, 5.49 ‘Klementin’ to 7.20% stachyose ‘Fairchild’, 4.51 ‘Nova’ to 6.56% raffinose ‘Fairchild’, 5.30 ‘Nova’ to 9.48% fructose ‘Fairchild’ and 5.04 ‘Klementin’ to 7.64% glucose ‘Fairchild’ as mean values. The mean calcium content of orange seeds varied between 451.60 ‘Barile’ and 2739.30 mg/kg ‘Kozan Yerli’. In addition, the magnesium content of orange varied from 886.00 ‘Pineapple’ to 1708.00 mg/kg ‘Kan’. Also, phosphorus contents of orange seeds were between 2443 ‘Barile’ and 3939 mg/kg ‘Kan’.