Carthamus tinctorius L.: armazenamento de sementes, viabilidade do óleo para biodisel e da torta para alimentação animal

Abstract

The environmental crisis lived nowadys has been influencing change of paradigms in human development. In this context, one of the main themes is the replacement of fossil fuels for biofuels, such like the biodiesel (fuel produced from biomass). Carthamus tinctorius L. (safflower) is a potential oil crop to be used as a matrix for biodiesel production. The safflower can to be an alternative to the semiarid regions of Brazil, due to its resistance to dry, high temperatures, low relative humidity, and saline soils; also has an oil content in its seeds, 30 to 45%. Thus, the objectives of this study were: to investigate into mophophysiological quality of safflower seeds submitted to different stocking periods in two package types (PET bottles and polyethylene bags), at natural temperature; and also, asses the viability of reserve oleifera seeds safflower for biodiesel production, and to evaluate bromatological composition of the extraction residue (cake), for animal feeding. Anatomical and histological analysis, electrical conductivity tests, moisture level and germination percentage determination were conducted at the experiment beginning (0 months), and then at each 30 days, for six months. There was no anatomical distinction in the seeds stored in both package types, nor in the months in which the experiment was performed. In general, the seeds stored in PET bottles have shown greater physiological quality than the ones stored in polyethylene bags. For chemical analysis, there was performed oil extraction by using nhexane, and then it was analyzed in Thin Layer Chromatography and UV-visible spectrometer. Besides, there was performed a nutritional composition evaluation of the extraction residue. The obtained safflower oil yield was consistent with the literature. This oil presented a fatty acid profile very suitable for biodiesel production. The safflower cake (residue) has nutritious features which qualifies it as a potential protein source in animal feeding. It is concluded that Carthamus tinctorius L. has properties favoring its use for functions associated to biodiesel production (storage, cultivation and oil extraction) and supplementation for animal diet.