잇꽃 종실의 일반 성분 조성은 수분 7.2%, 탄수화물 34.5%, 조단백 18.2%, 조지방 34.8%, 회분 5.3%로서 다른 식물성 식용유지의 원료작물과 비교해 볼 때 지질함량이 높으며, 지질의 물리적 특성은 비중 $0.922{sim}0.927$, 굴절을 $1.468{sim}l.469$, 발연점 $210^{circ}C$, 융점 $-15{sim}18^{circ}C$, 지방산의 titer가 $15{sim}18^{circ}C$로서 식용유의 물성보다 우수하며, 화학적인 특성은 요드가 $140{sim}152$, 검화가 $186{sim}192$, 산가 $2.6{sim}3.5$, ester가 $179{sim}186$, 불검화물 함량 $0.8{sim}l.3%$ 포화지방산 함량 $6.6{sim}7.2%$로서 불포화지방산의 함량이 매우 높으며, 지방산의 조성은 myristic 0.1%, palmitic $5{sim}8%$, stearic $2.5{sim}3.0%$, oleic $10{sim}20%$, linoleic $70{sim}78%$, linolenic $2{sim}3%$, arachidic 0.4%로서 식용유의 품질을 결정하는 불포화지방산중 필수지방산의 함량이 $72.0{sim}8l.4%$에 이르고 있어 국내 유지 자원 작물중에서 가장 양질의 식용유로 사료된다.
The lipid compositions, physical and chemical characteristics of crude oil in Korean safflow, Carthamus tinctorius L., seeds were determined and proxmate composition of it were also analyzed. The proximate composition showed moisture 7.2%, carbohydrate 34.4%, crude protein 18.2%, crude fat 34.8% and ash 5.35. Specific gravity, refractive index, smoking point, melting point and titer of the crude oil were $0.922{sim}0.927,;1.468{sim}1.469,;210^{circ}C,;-15{sim}-18^{circ}C;and;15{sim}18$, respectively. Iodine value, saponification value, acid value, esterification value, unsapoifiable matter and saturated fatty acid content of the crude oil were $140{sim}152,;186{sim}192,;2.6{sim}3.5,;179{sim}186,;0.8{sim}1.3%;and;6.6{sim}7.2%$, respectively. Fatty acid compositions were quantitatively determined by G.L.C. to give $70{sim}78%$ linoleic acid, $10{sim}23%$ oleic acid and $5{sim}8%$ palmitic acid as main components, stearic, linolenic and myristic acid were presented in small quantities.
