What do you believe is the single most important factor driving up the cost of living in Nigeria?

A research team has identified a wealth of bioactive compounds in red clover (Trifolium pratense) seeds and their oil, positioning them as a promising source for functional ingredients in food and health care products. Researchers reveal that red clover seed oil contains high concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and tocopherols, opening doors for potential pharmaceutical and nutritional applications.

Red clover, a flowering plant in the Fabaceae family, is widely grown across temperate regions and known for its nitrogen-fixing ability, enriching soil fertility. It has been valued for its potential in sustainable agriculture and as a cover crop to prevent soil erosion and reduce pesticide use.

However, its seeds—commonly used for animal feed—have received little attention for their potential health benefits. While extracts of red clover flowers have been used to treat various health conditions such as menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular diseases, little research has been conducted on the bioactive compounds present in red clover seeds.

A study published in Food Innovation and Advances suggests that red clover seed oil could serve as a functional ingredient in health-promoting foods or pharmaceuticals.

The research team used supercritical CO 2 extraction to extract oil from red clover seeds. They used advanced metabolomics techniques to analyze the chemical composition of red clover seeds (RCS), focusing on proteins, sugars, organic acids, phenolic compounds, and fatty acids.

• Read More