Effects of Drying Conditions on the Content of Biologically Active Compounds in Winter Camelina Sativa Seeds

The moisture content of Camelina sativa seeds has to be maintained at 7–12% during storage in order to preserve their quality. If seeds with higher moisture contents are to be stored, they first need to be dried. This study presents the effects of high-temperature drying (at 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 °C) of C. sativa seeds on the technological usefulness (expressed as the acid value) and bioactive compound content (as polyenoic fatty acid, vitamin-E active compounds, and phytosterols). It is shown that drying temperature significantly affects levels of bioactive compounds. Losses of phytosterols reached a maximum of 24% (for temperatures in the 80–140 °C range), while losses of tocopherols range from 2–11%, depending on cultivar. A change in the percentage composition of polyenoic acids is observed upon air drying at 100–140 °C. It is recommended not to exceed 60 °C when drying C. sativa seeds, in order to guarantee that high-quality cold-pressed oil with high levels of bioactive compounds is obtained.
Practical application: The seeds of Camelina sativa, like other oilseeds, require appropriate storage after harvesting in order to maintain continuity of production. Maintaining the high seed quality during storage requires drying them after harvesting to a moisture content of 7–12%. Drying conditions have a significant effect on seed quality, expressed as acid number, and also affect the levels of bioactive compounds (such as polyene fatty acids, tocopherols, plastochromanol-8, and phytosterols) in the oil. Information on optimum drying conditions will contribute to the availability of high-quality camelina oils produced by small local manufacturers.