Fatty acids and oil content in white lupin seed as affected by production practices

Characteristics of the seed oil of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.), a potential alternative winter crop in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, are not well established. Replicated experiments were conducted during the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 growing seasons with a determinate and an indeterminate cultivar to characterize oil and FA in lupin seed in relation to production practices. The experiments were planted in early October, late October, and mid-November using row spacings of 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 m at each planting time. Seeds from the planting date of early October had significantly (P < 0.05) higher oil content than the later plantings (late October and mid-November). A closer row spacing (0.3 m) also had significantly (P < 0.05) higher oil content than the wider row spacing (0.9 m). Planting date effects on FA content were significant for some FA, but row spacing did not affect FA contents. Oil content in the seed varied from 7.2 to 8.2% (w/w). The oil from white lupin seed contained FA in the order of 18:1 > 18:2 > 18:3 > 16:0 > 20:1 > 22:1 > 22:0 > 18:0 > 24:0 > 20:0. The saturated FA/unsaturated FA ratio in lupin oil was 0.14. White lupin seed contained higher contents of oil and FA than literature values for seed of navy, kidney, and pinto beans.