Lipid characterization and antioxidant status of the seeds and meals of Camelina sativa and flax

Four different antioxidant activity assays including 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were performed on the methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Camelina seeds (CS), flaxseeds (FS), Camelina meal low fat (CMLF, 9.9% fat), Camelina meal high fat (CMHF, 24.6% fat), and flaxseed meal (FSM, 2.7% fat). In addition, the fatty acid profile, and phenolic, tocopherol, flavonoid, and glucosinolate contents of CS, FS, CMLF, CMHF, and FSM were studied. The major fatty acid was α‐linolenic acid (C18:3 n‐3) which was 33.2, 29.4, 30.2, 60.1, and 39.3% in CS, CMLF, CMHF, FS, and FSM, respectively. The methanolic extract of CMLF showed the highest values of ABTS, DPPH and FRAP and the highest content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and glucosinolates. The methanolic and ethylacetate extracts of CMHF showed the highest values for ORAC and α‐ and γ‐tocopherols. The ethylacetate extracts of seeds and meals of Camelina sativa and flax showed lower values for antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids than the methanolic extracts. In general, Camelina and FS meals showed higher antioxidant activities, and phenolic and flavonoid contents than their respective seeds. Practical applications: Camelina sativa seeds (CS) and flaxseeds (FS) are rich sources of omega 3 oils. Their by‐products after oil extraction are an attractive source of proteins, lipids, fiber, and natural bioactive compounds such as antioxidants. These by‐products may be used to improve nutritional value and prevent lipid oxidation in feed or food systems.