Nutritional Quality of Major Indian Oilseeds and Cereals: Proximate Composition and Fatty Acid Characterization

Abstract

Oilseeds and cereals are important dietary sources of energy, protein, lipids, and essential fatty acids. The present study evaluated the proximate composition and fatty acid profiles of four oilseed crops (sesame, groundnut, soybean, and safflower) and four cereal crops (paddy, maize, jowar, and bajra) using standard AOAC methods. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were observed among crops for all nutritional parameters. Among oilseeds, soybean recorded the highest protein content (42.28%), while sesame showed the highest fat content (45.42%) and energy value (588.85 kcal/100 g). Among cereals, maize had the highest protein content (11.12%), bajra recorded the highest fat content (5.59%), and paddy contained the highest carbohydrate content (79.42%). Fatty acid analysis revealed that sesame and groundnut were rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, whereas soybean and safflower contained higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Safflower exhibited the highest PUFA content (75.08%), while jowar showed the most favorable fatty acid profile among cereals with the highest PUFA content (57.03%). The findings demonstrate considerable nutritional diversity among major Indian oilseeds and cereals and highlight their importance for dietary diversification, functional food development, and nutritionally balanced diets.