Brassica carinata
Species of plant in the family Brassicaceae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brassica carinata is a species of flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family.[1][2] It is referred to by the common names Ethiopian Kale,[3] Ethiopian rape or Ethiopian mustard.[4] It is believed to be a hybrid between Brassica nigra and Brassica oleracea.[5]
| Brassica carinata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Brassicaceae |
| Genus: | Brassica |
| Species: | B. carinata |
| Binomial name | |
| Brassica carinata | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Brassica timoriana F.Muell. | |
The flowers attract honey bees to collect pollen and nectar.
Leaf uses
The plant has a mild flavor, and is eaten as a leaf vegetable. It is known as (Oromo: Raafuu); habesha gomen, (Amharic: ሐበሻ ጎመን).[6] Named varieties include Texsel, which is particularly adapted to temperate climates.[7] Cultivation of Ethiopia mustard as leaf vegetable is limited to small-scale production but it is slowly gaining popularity in rural as well as urban areas where commercial production is taking place.[8]
Seed uses
Although Brassica carinata is cultivated as an oilseed crop in Ethiopia,[9] it has high levels of undesirable glucosinolates and erucic acid.[10] The closely related Brassica napus (rapeseed) is considered a better oilseed crop in comparison.
Brassica carinata has been used to develop an aviation biofuel for jet engines.[11] On October 29, 2012, the first flight of a jet aircraft powered completely by biofuel, made from Brassica carinata, was completed.[12][13] The byproduct of Brassica carinata oil production is utilized in protein meal for animal fodder.[14]
Industrial application
The oil quality profile includes a high percentage of erucic acid (40–45 %) making it highly desirable as a biofuel and for industrial applications such as production of plastics, lubricants, paints, leather tanning, soaps, and cosmetics.[15]