Mustard Flour
Botanical origin: seeds of Brassicaceae — chiefly Sinapis alba (yellow/white), Brassica juncea (brown/Indian), Brassica nigra (black).
Definition: finely milled mustard seed product, sometimes partially/fully defatted to raise protein and reduce oil. Particle size is controlled; may include hull and endosperm fractions depending on grade.
Form and color.
Mustard flour is a fine powder and can vary in color from pale yellow to brown, depending on the variety of seeds used. It has a characteristic spicy flavor.
Caloric value (indicative)
Full-fat (non-defatted): ~450–520 kcal/100 g.
Partially/fully defatted: ~300–380 kcal/100 g (higher protein/fiber, lower oil).
Typical composition (dry basis; species/defatting dependent)
Protein: ~25–40% (higher when defatted)
Fat: ~8–36% — oil profile dominated by MUFA/PUFA, low SFA (see legend)
Total carbohydrate: ~20–35%
Dietary fiber: ~10–14% (includes mucilage polysaccharides)
Ash/Minerals: Ca, Mg, K, P, Fe, Zn
Actives: glucosinolates (e.g., sinigrin, sinalbin) and myrosinase (activity depends on heat treatment)
Phytochemistry & heat mechanism
Adding water activates myrosinase, hydrolyzing glucosinolates to isothiocyanates (e.g., allyl isothiocyanate, AITC in brown/black; p-hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate in yellow). These volatiles drive pungency and aroma.
Low pH and high heat inactivate myrosinase and/or degrade isothiocyanates, yielding a milder heat.
Techno-functional properties
Co-emulsifier/stabilizer: improves mayonnaise/dressings stability and powder wetting/dispersion.
Thickening/body: mucilage contributes to viscosity and mouthfeel.
Mild antimicrobial: isothiocyanates inhibit yeasts/bacteria—useful in pickles/brines (hurdle effect).
Flavor masking: helps mute oxidized/metallic notes in sauces/meats.
Granulation: finer = faster enzyme–substrate contact and hotter release; coarser = slower release.
Manufacture & treatments
Seed cleaning → milling (stone/roller/pin) → optional defatting (mechanical or food-grade solvent) → sieving/grading → optional heat treatment (micro reduction; tunes myrosinase) → standardization (color/moisture).
“English” vs “Dijon-style” flours mainly reflect species selection and fineness.
Applications & indicative use levels
Sauces/emulsions: 0.2–0.6% for heat + stabilization.
Prepared mustards: blend with water (enzyme activation) + acid (vinegar/wine) + salt, optional sugar/spices; cold maturation develops aroma.
Pickles/brines: 0.1–0.4% for flavor and mild antimicrobial action.
Meats/process: in rubs/injections for flavor and shelf-life support.
Bakery/snacks: 0.2–1% for aromatic lift and modest spoilage control.
Quality & specifications
Moisture typically ≤10% to prevent caking/microbial growth.
Oxidation: if not defatted, protect oil fraction from light/oxygen (rancidity).
Enzyme activity: declare active/inactive myrosinase grades for formulation.
Color/particle size: consistent with species—yellow is lighter/milder; brown/black darker/hotter.
Safety, allergens & regulatory
In the EU, mustard is a major allergen → mandatory labeling for seed/flour/extracts (and oils with residual proteins).
Irritant potential: AITC vapors/pastes can trigger lacrimation, rhinitis, and contact dermatitis—avoid aerosols; ensure ventilation.
Goitrogenicity: excessive long-term glucosinolate intake may affect iodine–thyroid axis; normal culinary use is not a concern.
Residual oil: for non-defatted flours, edible oil should derive from low-erucic cultivars compliant with EU/FAO/WHO limits for erucic acid (C22:1).
Storage & shelf life
Keep cool, dry, dark, in airtight packaging; segregate from humidity/odors.
Once hydrated, heat develops but AITC is volatile—seal and refrigerate sauces; some loss of heat over time is normal.
Defatted flours are more oxidatively stable but may taste slightly more astringent.
Troubleshooting
Weak heat in condiment: increase activation water, tune pH (too low halts myrosinase early), extend cold maturation (12–24 h).
Emulsion break: raise flour to 0.3–0.6%, add lecithin, or adjust solids/shear and pH.
Excess bitterness: prefer yellow flour (sinalbin), temper time/temperature, and balance with sugar/honey.
Species sensory notes
Yellow/white (S. alba): pale color, mild–sweet heat—ideal for delicate dressings.
Brown (B. juncea)/Black (B. nigra): darker, hotter (AITC)—suited to Dijon/hot mustards and curries.
Sustainability & supply
Conclusion
Mustard flour is a multi-functional ingredient combining pungency, emulsion support, and mild antimicrobial effects. By managing water–pH–time and choosing the species/grade, you can tailor flavor and functionality. Pay attention to allergen labeling, AITC irritation, oil oxidation (if full-fat), and storage to maintain quality.
Lipid acronym mini-legend (quick reference)
MUFA = MonoUnsaturated Fatty Acids: generally heart-friendly; support an improved lipid profile.
PUFA = PolyUnsaturated Fatty Acids: include Omega-3 and Omega-6; beneficial, but keep a reasonable Ω-6:Ω-3 balance.
SFA = Saturated Fatty Acids: limit/moderate; health impact depends on overall diet and replacement nutrients.
ALA / EPA / DHA (Omega-3): beneficial for heart/brain; strongest evidence for EPA/DHA.
TFA = Trans Fatty Acids: avoid; linked to higher cardiovascular risk.
MCT = Medium-Chain Triglycerides: rapidly absorbed/oxidized; useful in specific contexts, but still count toward calories.
Studies
Oily crops contain high levels of tocopherols, which prevent the oxidation of lipids and thus contribute to improving the longevity of the seeds (1).
Because of their non-polar nature, tocopherols become part of seed oil after oil extraction, where they play a key role as antioxidants in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, tocopherols are the main compounds that protect the oil from lipid peroxidation, which causes the absence of flavors and the reduction of shelf life (2).
In vivo activity of tocopherols is exercised in the human or animal body after they are consumed in the diet or in vitamin supplements, where they protect cells from oxidative stress (3).
Mustard contains substances of interest for human health such as (4) :
- Erucic acid
- Vitamin E
- Alpha tocopherol
- Gamma tocopherol
The fatty acid profile in yellow mustard (Brassica alba) is dominated by erucic acid with 6.87%, followed by oleic acid with 5.08% and linoleic acid with 1.87%, while in black mustard (Brassica nigra) the predominant fatty acid is oleic with 22.96%, followed by linoleic with 6.63% and linolenic with 3.22% (5).
Safety
Mustard has been commonly used in homeopathic and traditional medicines, where it is believed to have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties and in the treatment of ailments ranging from arthritis to respiratory congestion. This case highlights the potential danger of misuse of homeopathic homeopathic DIY remedies such as mustard powder (6).
Mustard studies
References_________________________________________________________________________
(1) Sattler SE, Gilliland LU, Magallanes-Lundback M, Pollard M, DellaPenna D Vitamin E is essential for seed longevity and for preventing lipid peroxidation during germination. Plant Cell. 2004 Jun; 16(6):1419-32.
(2) Shahidi F, Zhong Y Lipid oxidation and improving the oxidative stability.
Chem Soc Rev. 2010 Nov; 39(11):4067-79.
Abstract. Lipids are a major component of food and important structural and functional constituents of cells in biological systems. However, this diverse group of substances is prone to oxidation through various pathways. Their oxidative stability depends on a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including the unsaturation of their fatty acids, composition of minor components, environment conditions, delivery techniques and use of antioxidants, among others. Lipid oxidation has detrimental effects on both food quality and human health, and efforts must be made to minimize oxidation and improve oxidative stability of lipid products. Antioxidant strategy has been successfully employed in the food industry for quality preservation of the food products and in the medicinal industry for risk reduction of numerous oxidative stress-mediated diseases. This tutorial review will provide important knowledge about lipid oxidation, including the mechanism and factors involved in oxidation, as well as strategies for improving oxidative stability of lipids.
(3) Galli F, Azzi A Present trends in vitamin E research. Biofactors. 2010 Jan-Feb; 36(1):33-42.
Abstract. Nearly after one century of research and thousands of publications, the physiological function(s) of vitamin E remain unclear. Available evidence suggests a role in cell homeostasis that occurs through the modulation of specific signaling pathways and genes involved in proliferative, metabolic, inflammatory, and antioxidant pathways. Vitamin E presence in the human body is under close metabolic control so that only alpha-tocopherol and, to a lower extent, gamma-tocopherol are retained and delivered to tissues. Other vitamin E forms that are not retained in the body in significant amounts, exhibit responses in vitro that are different form those of alpha-tocopherol and may include tumor cell specific toxicity and apoptosis. These responses provide a therapeutic potential for these minor forms, either as such or metabolically modified, to produce bioactive metabolites. These cellular effects go beyond the properties of lipophilic antioxidant attributed to alpha-tocopherol particularly investigated for its alleged protective role in atherosclerosis or other oxidative stress conditions. Understanding signaling and gene expression effects of vitamin E could help assign a physiological role to this vitamin, which will be discussed in this review. Besides vitamin E signaling, attention will be given to tocotrienols as one of the emerging topics in vitamin E research and a critical re-examination of the most recent clinical trials will be provided together with the potential use of vitamin E in disease prevention and therapy.
(4) García-Navarro E, Fernández-Martínez JM, Pérez-Vich B, Velasco L. Genetic Analysis of Reduced γ-Tocopherol Content in Ethiopian Mustard Seeds. ScientificWorldJournal. 2016;2016:7392603. doi: 10.1155/2016/7392603.
Abstract. Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) line BCT-6, with reduced γ-tocopherol content in the seeds, has been previously developed. The objective of this research was to conduct a genetic analysis of seed tocopherols in this line. BCT-6 was crossed with the conventional line C-101 and the F1, F2, and BC plant generations were analyzed. Generation mean analysis using individual scaling tests indicated that reduced γ-tocopherol content fitted an additive-dominant genetic model with predominance of additive effects and absence of epistatic interactions. This was confirmed through a joint scaling test and additional testing of the goodness of fit of the model. Conversely, epistatic interactions were identified for total tocopherol content. Estimation of the minimum number of genes suggested that both γ- and total tocopherol content may be controlled by two genes. A positive correlation between total tocopherol content and the proportion of γ-tocopherol was identified in the F2 generation. Additional research on the feasibility of developing germplasm with high tocopherol content and reduced concentration of γ-tocopherol is required.
(5) Mejia-Garibay B, Guerrero-Beltrán JÁ, Palou E, López-Malo A. Physical and antioxidant characteristics of black (Brassica nigra) and yellow mustard (Brassica alba) seeds and their products. Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2015 Jun;65(2):128-35.
Abstract. The composition, some physical properties (density, refraction index, and color), antioxidant capacity (DPPH), and fatty acid profile of seeds of black (Brassica nigra) or yellow mustard (Brassica alba) were evaluated, as well as for their oils and residues from oil extraction. Density of the black and yellow mustard oils were 0.912 ± 0.01 and 0.916 ± 0.01 g/mL, respectively; their refraction indexes were 1.4611 ± 0.01 and 1.4617 ± 0.01, respectively; being not significantly different (p > 0.05) between two mustards. Color parameters of the black and yellow mustard oils presented greenish-yellow tones and reddish-yellow tones, respectively; regarding antioxidant activities, these ranged from 25 mg equivalents of Trolox/100 gin the yellow mustard oil to 1,366 mg equivalents of Trolox/100 g in the residues from oil extraction of black seed mustard. The fatty acid profile of the black mustard seed revealed that its predomipant fatty acid is oleic (22.96%), followed by linoleic (6.63%) and linolenic (3.22%), whereas foryellow mustard seed the major fatty acid is erucic (6.87%), followed by oleic (5.08%) and linoleic (1.87%) acids.
(6) Tartar DM, Sharon VR. Second degree burn to mustard powder. Dermatol Online J. 2017 Jan 15;23(1). pii: 13030/qt85q7r4wx.
Abstract. Mustard seeds and powder are commonly used inhomeopathic and traditional medicines, in whichthey are believed to have both anti-microbial andanti-inflammatory properties. They are thereforeutilized in the treatment of conditions ranging fromarthritis to respiratory congestion. Herein, we presenta patient with a second degree burn who usedmustard powder in the form of a mustard plasterto treat chest congestion. She experienced seconddegree burn wounds to the lower neck and chest, andrecovery with complete re-epithelialization followingtopical silver sulfadiazine, liberal emollient therapy,and triamcinolone ointment. This case highlightsthe potential danger of inappropriate use of topicalhomeopathic remedies such as mustard powder anddetails a successful treatment regimen.
Mustard Flour 
