Characteristics of grains and oils of four different oats (Avena sativa L.) cultivars growing in Turkey.

Some physical and chemical properties of four oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties (BDMY-6, BDMY-7, Che-Chois and Y-2330) harvested from Konya in Turkey were investigated. The weight of the grain, moisture, crude protein, crude ash, crude fibre, crude energy, crude oil and water-soluble extract contents of all oat variety grains were analysed. Contents of aluminium, calcium, cadmium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, lead, potassium and manganese were also determined in the oat grains. The specific gravity, refractive index, free fatty acids, peroxide value, saponification number and unsaponifiable matter were determined in the grain oil. Tocopherol contents of these four oat grain oils were measured. Palmitic acid (15.72%), oleic acid (33.97-51.26%) and linoleic acid (22.80-35.90%) were found to be rich in protein, oil, fibre, unsaturated fatty acids and minerals, suggesting that they may be valuable for food uses. Due to high nutritive values, it is recommended to process for healthy food products.