Page 145 - Biofuels Refining and Performance
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128 Chapter Four
Figure 4.17 Cyperus esculentus L. (Photo courtesy of Rolv
Hjelmstad [www.rolv.no/bilder/galleri/medplant/
cype_esc.htm].)
90 cm high [138]. Tubers contain 20–36% oil. The oil from the tuber con-
tains 18% saturated (palmitic acid and stearic acid) and 82% unsatu-
rated (oleic acid and linoleic acid) fatty acids [138].
Main uses. The tubers are edible and have high nutritive value. They
contain 3–15% protein, 15–20% sugar, 20–25% starch, 4–14% cellulose,
and trace amounts of natural resin. They are used in Spain to make
a beverage named horchata, and also consumed fresh after soaking.
In other countries, the tubers are used in sweetmeats or uncooked as a
side dish. New products obtained can enhance the interest in this crop
Figure 4.18 Cyperus esculentus
L. (Photo courtesy of Peter Chen
[www.cod.edu/people/faculty/ch
enpe/PRAIRIE/2005_09_20/
Cyperus_esculentus.jpg].)
