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Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Pierre ex Heckel is a plant species present in the high-biodiversity areas of Central, West and East Africa. It has a considerable potential for development as a non-timber forest product (NTFP). The crushed seeds of this species have traditionally been used by local populations and those of certain large African cities as a spice or thickening agent for foods. In the face of strong and potentially growing demand, not only for nutritional purposes but also for new outlets, efforts are being made in Ivory Coast to domesticate this species with a view to increasing production. A number of actions are underway for the development of R. heudelotii: improvement of its availability; development of seed and kernel production; creation of markets for the seeds and their proteins and oil; development of industrial uses of this oil. This study carried out an inventory of R. heudelotii cultivation in Ivory Coast, and highlighted the levers available for promoting its integration into the economy of the country. The development of outlets for the kernels, oil and proteins of R. heudelotii, the improvement and control of product quality, and the modernization of seed crushing and oil extraction methods are essential conditions for increasing production and for the structuring and expansion of the market. This contributes to both the economic development of this crop and those involved in its cultivation — local communities, and women in particular — and the preservation of the environment through the development of an activity favoring regeneration and sustainable forest protection.

Oil bodies, also called oleosomes have been the object of an increased interest since the last decade. Different processes of extraction and purification involve an aqueous crushing with methods to soften the cell membranes. An integrated process was used on different oilseeds to compare the different oil-body dispersions obtained. Once extracted with an aqueous crushing, oil bodies are dispersed in a creamy phase containing also an important protein content. Their stability depends on membranous proteins but also surrounding, extraneous ones. To eliminate these non-membranous proteins, the emulsion can be washed with different compounds allowing a good protein solubilization. If the fatty acid, phytosterol, tocopherol contents and distribution are compared between seeds and dispersions of oil bodies, there appears to be little significant change. These valuable compounds are hence preserved in the oil bodies. However, aqueous crushing releases phospholipase partly explaining the lower phospholipid content and the higher relative concentration of phosphatidic acid. To preserve these emulsions, it is possible to dry them either through freeze-drying or spray-drying. Spray-drying allows a better recovery of the physical structure of the emulsion after rehydration but cryo-protectants as Tris or Glycerol can limit emulsion degradation provoked by hard mechanical constraints of a freeze-drying process.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a candidate to be included in European diet due to its seed oil content and composition. Its cultivation in Europe has been assessed in several European countries by introducing genotypes from Latin America. The cultivar Oruro (released by Panam Company, France) was used in this study and cultivated at two locations of southern West of France (Lavaur and Samatan). The aims of this study were to investigate the oil content and composition of chia seeds cultivated in two locations under organic conditions in southern West of France. As expected, location factor affected oil content. Moreover, this factor affected also fatty acid, sterols and tocopherols content and composition. Lavaur presented higher oil content than Samatan. This later location presented higher temperature during grain filling period. Polyunsaturated fatty acids were more represented at Lavaur than at Samatan. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids showed the opposite trends. Sterols and tocopherols were more accumulated in chia seeds at Lavaur. These results showed that all quality traits of chia seed cultivated in France were affected by climatic conditions prevailing in location of cultivation.

This study aimed to examine the accumulation of oil, fatty acids, sterols and tocopherols contents and compositions during fruit development on the new cultivar of Chia Oruro (Panam Cie, France) cultivated in France. This cultivar is the first released genotype in Europe and for cultivation in Europe. The experiment was conducted in 2017, in south-western France at the Regional centre for organic agriculture, at Auch (near Toulouse, South-West of France). Four samplings were made at 17, 24, 27 and 35 days after flowering (DAF). These dates of sampling correspond to stages 7–8 (fruit development and maturity) of BBCH scale. Oil content, fatty acid composition and sterols and tocopherols contents and profiles were determined. The highest levels of oil and tocopherols were reached at 27 DAF. In contrast, phytosterols content was highest at 17 DAF (726.2 mg/100 g of oil) and decreased after this date. β-sitosterol was the main sterol in chia seed (63.4 to 89.1% of total sterols, depending of stage of fruit development). γ-tocopherol represented more than 92% of the total tocopherols present in the seed. High levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (74.4 to 80% of total fatty acids) were observed in our study confirming those already reported in this species. High levels of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were reported at earlier stages and decreased gradually during fruit development. Polyunsaturated fatty acids followed an opposite trend. Their level was lowest at 17 DAF (74.4%) and increased gradually to reach their higher level at 35 DAF (80%). These results suggested clearly the interest to harvest and use of seed before entire maturity of the grain.

The outermost mucilaginous layer of the seed is a major, valuable component of flaxseed, but it induces a rapid thickening of the medium when the seeds are immersed in water, reducing the efficiency of oil body extraction. Ultrasound can be used to extract this mucilage rapidly before the seeds are ground in water. This makes it possible to extract the oil bodies as an emulsion, with the proteins present acting as dispersing and stabilizing agents. This emulsion is a thick fluid displaying shear-thinning and predominantly elastic behavior. This phase can be valorized directly due to its high concentration in polyunsaturated fatty acids, high content of valuable sterols, and high arginine content of its proteins.