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Comparative research has been conducted to allow us to determine the content of macro- and microelements in the vegetative and reproductive organs of Cynara cardunculus L. and quality of Cynara cardunculus L. oil. The experiment was performed on an agricultural field near Plovdiv (South Bulgaria). The contents of macro- and microelements in plant materials (roots, stems, leaves, seeds) and oils were determined. The oils were extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus from seeds of Cynara cardunculus L. The quantitative measurements were carried out with inductively-coupled plasma (ICP). Oil fatty acids characterization for unsaturated and saturated acids was performed by gas chromatography. The cardoon shows adaptability to local conditions and can be grown in southern Bulgaria and used for oil production. All plant parts of the cardoon are a rich source of macro and microelements and exhibit high nutritional value. The distribution of macro and microelements in the cardoon organs is selective, specific for the individual elements. Cd, Cu and Fe are accumulated in the roots, K - in the stems, Pb and Ca - in the leaves, and Zn, Mn, Mg and P - in the seeds. Cardoon seeds were a rich source of macro- and microelements (K, P, Mg, Ca, Fe, and Zn). Cardoon oil was abundant in unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic (61.67%%) and oleic acids (22.82%)), followed by palmitic acid (10.50%) and stearic acid (3.29%). Cardoon oil has a P/S index higher than 1 (4.2), which indicates that oil can have a good effect on human health and are oils suitable for consumption. Cardoon oil is a rich source of polyunsaturated linoleic fatty acid with potentially beneficial therapeutic activity.

Summary Being attractive for insects, non-genetically modified rapeseed is valuable for maintaining environmental biodiversity. Primarily, the rapeseed is an important industrial crop which is used for production of vegetable oil. Oil extraction from rapeseeds results in the generation of substantial amounts of rapeseed meal which is used either as a protein rich feed additive or as a source for preparation of protein containing ingredients for food industry. Both applications require frequent evaluation of protein content. Although Kjeldahl method is considered standard, it is not appropriate for routine evaluation of protein content in protein extracts. The aim of the study was to evaluate suitability of biuret and Bradford methods for protein quantification in rapeseed meal extracts. After consecutive triple extraction of proteins with water, 5% NaCl, 70% ethyl alcohol and 0.1 N NaOH, protein evaluation of each albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin extraction aliquot demonstrated overall lower protein content by Bradford method compared to biuret method. The most pronounced differences in protein content were observed with prolamin fraction where three fold higher protein concentrations in each extraction aliquot was observed when biuret method was applied for the evaluation. Comparative quantification of the total protein of each of the four fractions followed a similar trend of lower protein content evaluation by Bradford method. Overall results indicated biuret method as more suitable for protein quantification in rapeseed meal extracts which was confirmed by comparison with data obtained by Kjeldahl method.