Study of composition and biological value of pinon kernel of Siberian pine

The protein, lipid, and mineral-vitamin complexes of pinon kernels were studied. The object of the study is the kernel extracted from different batches of seeds of Siberian pine growing in the Kemerovo region. Mass fraction was determined by extracting them with the mixture of chloroform and ethanol in an apparatus, followed by the removal of the solvent, predrying at 103+-2 deg. C and weighing. Molecular weight distribution of peptides and proteins was assessed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The quantitative content of water-soluble vitamins was determined using capillary electrophoresis system with the Kapel-5 device (the working range of wavelengths – 190-400 nm), fat soluble vitamins - by high-performance reversed-phase liquid chromatography (spectral range 190-360 nm), mass fraction of macro- and microelements - by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The relative content of individual fractions in the lipid complex was as follows: phospholipids - 7.9%, mono- and diacylglycerols - 6.1%, sterols - 2.7%, carotenoids - 0.9%, triterpene alcohols - 1.8%, free fatty acids - 1.1%, triacylglycerols - 71.2%. Proteins of pinon kernels are heterogeneous in composition, contain 17 fractions, which have molecular weight ranging from 66.85 to 13.33 kDa. Carbohydrate complex consists essentially of digestible carbohydrates and has a high content of hydrolysable sugars from 4.6 to 5.0%, starch - 4.7±0.2%, pentosans - 1.8±0.2%, and fiber - 2.3±0.1%. In the mineral complex phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper are the predominant elements. The structure of vitamin complex includes tocopherols from 30.5 to 32.0 mg, vitamin A - 0.02 mg, and carotenoids - 0.8 mg per 100 g of lipids. Research results allow one to recommend pinon kernels as poly-functional food raw materials with high content of technologically important components for the production of original premium products.