Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] seeds as a multi-purpose feedstock for bio-based applications

Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] is an oilseed crop belonging to the Brassicaceae family that has attracted worldwide attention because of its agronomic and qualitative characteristics. This crop can adapt well to different environments and produce oil suitable for multiple bio-based uses. The most commonly measured and reported components of camelina seeds are fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins. However, they also contain specialized metabolites (SMs, formerly known as "secondary metabolites") retained in the meal, which have not been fully characterized. This work presents a long-term study conducted from 2015 to 2019 at the experimental farm of the University of Bologna (Italy), aimed at comparing six camelina cultivars (Cypress, Midas, 789-02, Pearl, Omega, and WUR) for their agronomic and oil-compositional parameters and the SM content and composition of their seeds. Cypress was the best genotype in terms of agronomic characteristics, i.e., stable and high seed yields and increased 1000-seed weight (TKW). Pearl and 789-02 were identified as the most suitable for specific bio-based applications because of the increased n-3:n-6 ratio of the oil. Among the SM classes, PAs, and flavonols were influenced by the growing conditions and genotype. Pearl was the cultivar in which specialized metabolites were affected most by variation in meteorological conditions. Therefore, this variety may represent a starting point for future research targeting the increase/decrease of specific SM classes and the desired content of specific fatty acids by selecting the growing environment. The content and composition of camelina SMs confirm its nature as a multi-use crop, corroborating its key role in the circular economy.