Crambe meal : evaluation, improvement and comparison with rapeseed meal

<p><em>Crambe abyssinica</em> has gradually been introduced in agriculture as a new oil-bearing crop. Its oil contains 55 to 60% erucic acid (C22:1, Δ13), desirable as lubricants, plastic additives or as a raw material for chemical synthesis. The defatted meal has high protein content which provides potential as an animal feed. However, crambe seeds contain glucosinolates as a negative factor in nutrition. The aim of this study was to obtain a clear view of the possibilities and constraints of crambe by-products as feedstuff. The investigation showed the decorticated and defatted crmabe meal contains nearly 50 % protein with an amino acid profile similar to rape. Crambe meal has low contents of cell wall constituents and high energy digestibility in both rats and pigs. The seed pericarp is fibrous and therefore poorly digested in cows. The level of glucosinolates in crambe seed is higher than in traditional rapeseeds, with an epi- progoitrin domination. Several approaches were investigated to remove crambe glucosinolates, which revealed possibilities and inclusion levels in animal feeding. Furthermore, two studies were carried out on rapeseed meal concerning detoxification treatments and their effect on the nutritive value. The final chapter discussed crambe meal's perspectives and future research areas