Analysis of Nutritional Components and Extracts in Castanopsis hystrix Seeds

Abstract

This study investigated the nutritional components of Castanopsis hystrix seeds and evaluated their potential commercial value, regarding multi-function management of C. hystrix plantations. The following nutritional components of Castanopsis hystrix seeds were determined according to national standards: starch, fat, protein, reducing sugars, and amino acids.  The chemical composition of their 50% benzene-alcohol(v/v) extracts was analyzed by GC-MS. Results showed that the contents of water, starch, fat, protein, and reducing sugar in the seeds were 36.08%, 68.11 g/100g, 0.3 g/100g, 3.98 g/100g, and 0.75 g/100g, respectively. The total amino acid content in the seeds is 3.42 g/100g, containing 16 kinds of amino acids, with 8 essential amino acids, which amount to 1.09g/100g. The amino acid SRC value was 84.02, indicating high nutritional value. A total of 26 compounds were identified in the extract of these seeds, with the highest content of aldehydes. The main compounds were 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (23.37%), melezitose (15.88%), palmitic acid (9.04%), and stearic acid (5.23%). The above analysis indicates that Castanopsis hystrix seeds have high nutritional value, as well as potential antioxidant and anti-tumor properties, which may have the potential to be used in food and medicine fields, with broad application prospects.