Fatty Acids, Carbohydrates and Total Proteins of Wild Sumac (Rhus typhina L.) Drupes from the Upper Midwest of the United States

Abstract

We assessed staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina L.) drupes growing in the Upper Midwest of the United States for content of fatty acids, carbohydrates and total extractable proteins. Drupes were less than 5% fatty acids by dry weight, composed of predominately palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids. The predominant carbohydrate was xylose (22.1% of the dry weight). This quantity is exciting, as it is comparable to that of current commercial sources, and indicates that sumac can be a feasible source of xylose for the production of xylitol. Total extractable protein was relatively low, at 6.8%, and could possibly find a market as a sustainably produced vegetarian feed additive.