Globally, there is an increasing demand for sources of plant-based
protein. While Brassica napus L. is an important oilseed crop
worldwide, there is also interest in improving its ability to serve as a
valuable source of plant-based protein. Cruciferin, a seed storage
protein that makes up 60% of the protein found in mature seeds of
B. napus, is of interest for human consumption as a source of
protein and as an ingredient in food products due to its functional
properties. Existing methods for quantification of cruciferin protein
are often time consuming and destroy the seed. This study explored the
potential for the measurement of cruciferin protein content in whole
seeds of B. napus by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), to allow for
efficient and non-destructive screening of breeding material. An
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based reference method was
utilized to assess cruciferin content in a diverse population of
B. napus. Scanning of whole seed samples produced spectra that
were used to develop NIRS calibration equations. Statistical analysis of
the calibration results indicated that the NIRS equations developed are
poorly suited for prediction of cruciferin content.
Nondestructive Measurements of Lipid Content and Fatty Acid Composition in Rapeseeds (Brassica napus L.) by Near Infrared Spectroscopy
