Jojoba—Variability in oil content and composition in a collection of 1156 native plants

Data are presented on the oil content and composition in the seeds of 1156 native jojoba plants harvested individually from inland and coastal areas of California and Arizona in the U.S. and from Sonora and Baja California in Mexico. The mean oil content of these samples was 53.2%; 34.2% of the samples exceeded 53%. The mean single seed weight was 0.56 g. A significant correlation between single seed weight and oil content was found but there was no correlation between oil content of the seed and seed yield per plant. Analysis of the oil for fatty acids and fatty alcohols showed very little variability among samples. This compositional uniformity is a major asset in terms of industrial application of this oil. Half the seeds studied in 144 samples had a mean oil content of 49.5% and mean single seed weight of 0.39 g. Simple correlations between fatty acids and oil content were similar to those reported earlier.     

Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of jojoba seed

Data are presented on the composition of jojoba seed harvested from randomly selected individual plants (175 in 1973, 139 in 1974) of the native population at Aguanga, CA. Except for seed yield per plant, which was 2.7 times higher in 1974, wax, protein, and hull content of the seed, as well as fatty acid and alcohol composition of the wax, were not very different in the 2 years. A significant (P<0.01) positive correlation was found between seed wt and wax content of the seed. Highly significant (P<0.01) correlations were found in pairs of fatty acids and alcohols except where fatty acid 20∶1 was included. Comparison of data from 22 plants of known identity for the 2 years also showed no significant change in wax content and composition of the seed. By contrast, correlations for seed wt, protein, hull percent, and yield per plant for the same period were all nonsignificant.     

The effects of intercepted solar radiation on sunflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annuus</Emphasis> L.) seed composition from different head positions

The effect of intercepted solar radiation during fruit filling on seed weight and oil content from seeds of three sectors of the head in two sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids of low and high potential oil percentage was investigated. Seed weight in each sector depended on both the level of radiation intercepted (modified by shading and thinning plants) and the genotype grown. A higher level of intercepted solar radiation increased seed weight in each sector. Central seeds of shaded plants showed the lowest weight. The seed and kernel oil content hierarchy among the three sectors was modified only in the hybrid with high potential oil content. For each head sector, variations in seed oil content associated with changes in the level of intercepted radiation could be accounted for by changes in the kernel oil content, not in the kernel/seed ratio. Significant relationships were found between seed oil and kernel oil contents when analyses between treatments (R>0.86) and sectors (R>0.92) were carried out. These relationships together with the growing conditions of plants during seed filling, the genotype, and the seed position on the head are essential factors that should be taken into account when selecting seeds in sunflower breeding programs since they affect the commercial/industrial quality of seeds.     

Analysis of single soybean seeds for oil and protein

Microprocedures were developed to analyze single soybean seeds for protein, oil, and moisture. Ten mature Forrest soybean plants were taken from a yield plot and sampled, so that seeds were taken from the top, middle, and bottom areas. Also, seeds were taken from distal and proximal racemes, from distal and proximal pods on a raceme, and from distal and proximal seeds within a pod. The range in protein for the 241 seeds analyzed was 32 to 51% (dry weight basis) with a standard deviation of 2.96%. The range in oil was 16.5 to 25.5% (dry weight basis) with a standard deviation of 1.84%. The middle area had significantly more oil and significantly less protein than the top and bottom areas. Also, significant differences in protein and oil were found between plants. There was no significant difference in protein or oil due to position of a raceme, position of a pod on a raceme, or position of a seed within a pod. The standard deviation found for protein and oil can be used to estimate the sample size needed to achieve a certain degree of accuracy in protein and oil analyses. To whom correspondence should be addressed at 272 Young Avenue.     

Cuphea a rich source of medium chain triglycerides: Fatty acid composition and oil diversity in Cuphea procumbens

The phenological characteristics, oil content, and fatty acid composition of 34 selections of Cuphea procumbens have been studied. The mean seed yield per plant was 9.7 ± 0.43 g. Maximum seed yield (16.7 g) was noticed in NBC‐27, while the average number of fruits per plant was 124.9 ± 10.7. The oil content in the seeds ranged from 16.7—28.7%, maximum being in NBC‐34. The fatty acid composition revealed the presence of capric acid (C10:0) in all the selections of C. procumbens as the major constituent of the oil ranging from 87.7—94.6%. C. procumbens showed its novelty as an alternative source of capric acid and may be utilized as a renewable resource in the production of plasticizers and lubricants which wholly depend on petrochemical import. Researches are in progress in order to obtain tolerant cultivars against wild plant characteristics and some delayed seed shattering plants have been identified.     

Quantitative determination of tocopherols in single seeds of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to determine tocopherols in single seeds of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Single seeds were extracted with isooctane, centrifuged, and the overlayer extract injected into the HPLC instrument without further purification. Separation was performed on a diol-column (250 mm × 3 mm I.D.) using a mobile phase consisting of 94% isooctane and 6% tert-butyl methyl ether. Quantification of individual tocopherols was done by fluorescence detection and with β-tocopherol as internal standard. The standard error (SE) of the present method for total tocopherol content, as determined with 30 ground samples of Samourai (mean = 304 mg kg ^-1 dry seed) and 20 ground samples of Lirabon (mean = 350 mg kg ^-1 dry seed), was 9.5 mg tocopherol/kg dry seed. The SEs of the method for the determination of α- and γ-tocopherol percentages were 1.2% and 1.3%, respectively. The low SE values indicate that the method can be effectively used to detect small differences for tocopherol content and composition in studies requiring the analysis of reduced amounts of plant material. In particular, the comparison between the SE of the method and the SD of single seeds within individual plants of Samourai (36.8 mg kg ^-1 dry seed) and Lirabon (37.6 mg kg ^-1 dry seed) shows the potential of the present method for the detection of the tocopherol content within plant differences.     

Studies on the changes in fatty acid composition in developing seeds. I.

Oils from castor seeds at different stages of ripening have been studied. The fatty acid composition has been determined by paper chromatography. The ratio of the weight of the kernel to the weight of the seed coat changes from 1.0: 1.24 (14 days) to 1.0:0.48 (45 days) and the oil content of the seed coat is negligible. Amounts of the individual fatty acids in 1 g of kernel as well as in a single seed have been shown. The amounts of ricinoleic, linoleic and stearic acids gradually increase with the ripening of the seeds whereas the amounts of oleic and palmitic acid after an initial increase upto 28 days gradually decrease towards the later stages of growth when the amounts are calculated on the basis of a single seed.     

Studies on Minor Seed Oils XII

Physico-chemical analysis of seven seeds of indigenous species of plants belonging to six different botanical families have been carried out with the help of UV, IR, TLC-GLC techniques. All the seed oils were found in agreement with the simple fatty acid composition i.e. linoleic-oleic-palmitic type. The chief components among unsaturated acids in the six seed oils are oleic and linoleic acids together forming 40.0-86.0 %. Polygonum sp. surprisingly is found to have combined content of oleic and linoleic acid 13.3 % only but having unexpected high amount of linolenic acid (37.8 %). Among saturated acids, palmitic acid was predominant acid found in the range of 10.0-483 %. This chemical screening of seed oils reveals that the species producing highly unsaturated oils merit attention for utilization as minor seed oils.     

Nutritive value of defatted seed cake ofCleome viscosa

Defatted seed cake ofCleome viscosa was analysed for protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It was found to be a fairly good source of protein and other nutrients. The most limiting amino acid of the protein in the defatted seed cake was tryptophan. Like otherCapparidaceous plants, seeds ofCleome viscosa contained thioglucosinolates. The concentration of which in defatted seed cake before and after detoxification was 3 and 0.12 mg per 100 g. Except for the loss of B-complex vitamins, on detoxification the nutrient composition of the defatted cake remained unaltered. Rats fed diets based on defatted cake containing the toxic compounds lost weight, but those fed detoxified cake showed improved growth. However, the relative protein value (RPV) of the processed cake was poor and suggested the presence of other antinutritional factors.     

Effects of Seed Color and Growing Locations on Fatty Acid Content and Composition of Two Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Genotypes

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed coat color on oil content and fatty acid composition, as well as the effect of different growing areas on chemical variation. This study was carried out using white and black-spotted chia seeds grown together at five locations of Ecuador. Oil content was not significantly (P < 0.05) different for any of the comparative analyses performed between white and black-spotted seeds at all, although significant differences in oil content among locations were detected. The seeds from the San Pablo location showed the highest oil concentration (34.5%). No significant differences among fatty acids at any of the location were detected between white and black-spotted seeds; however, significant differences in fatty acids composition between sites were found. Overall, significant (P < 0.05) differences in palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic fatty acid compositions among oils from seeds grown in different locations were detected. In conclusion, this paper shows that the larger differences found in oil content and fatty acid composition are due to location (because of the environmental differences) rather than chia seed coat color.     

A rapid micromethod for the quantitative analysis of jojoba wax and its components

A method for the routine determination of jojoba wax ester composition and the ethanolysis products of these esters is described. In the recommended procedure, single or half seeds are crushed onto filter paper disks to provide duplicate 10–20 mg samples of the wax. One paper is extracted with petroleum ether for wax ester analysis and the second sample is transesterified in a sealed bottle using 5% HCl in ethanol at 80 C for 1–2 hr. This preparation is extracted with NaCl and petroleum ether, neutralized with potassium bicarbonate and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. The fatty acid ethyl esters and free alcohols are determined by gas chromatography (GC). The method requires only small amounts of seed material, provides duplicate samples of the wax, simplifies the ethanolysis procedures and reduces the time needed for the removal of the acid catalyst.     

Effect of gross cardiac glycoside content of seeds of common milkweed,Asclepias syriaca,on cardiac glycoside uptake by the milkweed bugOncopeltus fasciatus

Milkweed bugs,Oncopeltus fasciatus, were fed seeds of common milkweed,Asclepias syriaca, that contained differing concentrations of cardiac glycoside. Whole seeds had a mean cardiac glycoside concentration of 4.01 mg equivalents to digitoxin per g dry weight, and seed embryos had a mean concentration of 5.56 mg/g dry weight. Bugs fed these seeds concentrated cardiac glycoside: their mean concentration was 6.85 mg/g dry weight. Milkweed bugs fed seeds of lower cardiac glycoside content sequestered a greater percent of the available glycoside than bugs fed seeds of high glycoside content. The quantitative variation of cardiac glycoside content of the seeds of this single species did not significantly affect the growth of bugs. In a separate feeding preference experiment, bugs were offered seeds of both high (5.18 mg/g dry weight) and low (2.30 mg/g dry weight) cardiac glycoside content. The bugs showed no indication of selecting seeds of either high or low glycoside content.     

Composition of jojoba seed during development

Data were taken on developing jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis [Link] Schneider) seed to determine what differences should be expected in quantity and quality of wax and meal when seed is harvested before complete maturation. Analyses were carried out for seed wt; moisture, protein, and wax contents; fatty acid and alcohol composition of the wax; and amino acid composition of the meal of seed samples collected from a natural population in Aguanga, Calif., at weekly intervals from June 20 to maturity on August 15. Wax content of the seed increased rapidly during the first 4 weeks from 13.5–40.5% and slower later, from 43.6–49.4%. Protein content of the meal increased at a slow steady rate during the entire period from 22.3–32.6%. Seed harvested 20 days prior to full maturity had essentially the same wax and protein contents as mature seed; it had lower seed wt and excessively high moisture though. The amino acid content of the meal increased considerably between the first and last sampling from 13.40–26.18% by wt. Certain amino acids increased at a faster rate than others. Whereas major changes occurred in the fatty acid composition of the wax, the alcohol composition remained unchanged throughout the sampling period.     

Sterol composition and biosynthesis in sorghum: Importance to developmental regulation

Sterol composition and biosynthesis have been examined in seeds, germinating seeds and blades from fally matured leaves ofSorghum bicolor in various stages of development’from seedlings (seven-day plants) to flowering (66-day) plants. The profile of the dominant free sterols of seeds was similar to that of leaf blades; both contained cholesterol, 24α-methylcholesterol (campesterol), 24β-methylcholesterol (dihydrobrassicasterol), 24α-ethylcholesterol (sitosterol) and 24α-ethylcholesta-5,22-dienol (stigmasterol). Sufficient sterol intermediates were identified in the plant to indicate separate post-cycloartenol pathways to sterolic end products. The total free sterol content of the seed (μg/seed) increased somewhat during the 20 hr germination period. However, as the plant developed (seven to 48 days), there was a logarithmic increase in the leaf blade sterol content (μg/leaf blade) which plateaued at the onset of floral differentiation (ca. day 41). Over the next 18 days (48 to 66 days—period of inflorescense development), the sterol content rapidly decreased. In the early stages of plant development, the leaf blade pentacyclic triterpenoid (PT) content was negligible. With the onset of floral differentiation, PT content increased logarithmically, reaching a plateau level that surpassed the sterol content as flowering progressed. These results imply that a critical mass of sterol is associated with sorghum for floral induction. Sterol loss from the leaves of the flowering plants presumably was compensated for by the diversion of 2,3-oxidosqualene (SO) from sterol synthesis to PT production. Additional feeding and trapping experiments with [2-¹⁴C]mevalonic acid, [2-³H]cycloartenol, [24-³H]lanosterol [4-¹⁴C]sitosterol and [4-¹⁴C]cholesterol fed to germinating seeds and leaves from flowering plants demonstrated that sorghum possessed a cycloartenolbased pathway; germinating seeds synthesized 24-alkylsterols but not cholesterol, although cholesterol was identified in both dry and germinating seeds by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS); and mature leaves synthesized cholesterol and 24α-alkylsterols but not 24β-methylcholesterol.     

Reducing Flower Competition for Assimilates by Half Results in Higher Yield of Fagopyrum esculentum

Despite abundant flowering throughout the season, common buckwheat develops a very low number of kernels probably due to competition for assimilates. We hypothesized that plants with a shorter flowering period may give a higher seed yield. To verify the hypothesis, we studied nutrient stress in vitro and in planta and analyzed different embryological and yield parameters, including hormone profile in the flowers. In vitro cultivated flowers on media with strongly reduced nutrient content demonstrated a drastic increase in degenerated embryo sacs. In in planta experiments, where 50% or 75% of flowers or all lateral ramifications were removed, the reduction of the flower competition by half turned out to be the most promising treatment for improving yield. This treatment increased the frequency of properly developed embryo sacs, the average number of mature seeds per plant, and their mass. Strong seed compensation under 50% inflorescence removal could result from increased production of salicylic and jasmonic acid that both favor more effective pollinator attraction. Plants in single-shoot cultivation finished their vegetation earlier, and they demonstrated greater single seed mass per plant than in control. This result suggests that plants of common buckwheat with shorter blooming period could deliver higher seed yield.     

Untersuchungen über den Einfluß von Sorte und Standort auf den Tocopherolgehalt verschiedener Pflanzenöle

Investigations on the Influence of Genotype and Location on the Tocopherol Content of the Oil from Different Oil-Crops Eight plant species have been cultivated on climatically differentiated locations as well as in phytotron trials, in order to determine the influence og genotype and environmental conditions on the tocopherol content of the oil. The tocopherol content has been related with the oil content of the seeds ami the part of the main polyenic fatty acid of the plant. Considering the genetic range of variation and the inheritance an increase of tocopherol content through breeding efforts seems likely. Especially oil plants which seeds can directly be consumed or which oil needs not to be refined, seem to be promissing. Concerning the environmental influence, biosynthesis of tocopherol was promoted by increased temperature. The negative correlation to the oil content of the seed could be due to the fact that oil plants of our climatic conditiones yield higher oil contents with low temperature.     

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase: A key mediator of plant triacylglycerol synthesis

Many plants deposit TAG in seeds and fruits as the major form of storage lipid. TAG production is of tremendous socioeconomic value in food, nutraceutical, and industrial applications, and thus numerous conventional and molecular genetic strategies have been explored in attempts to increase TAG content and modify the FA composition of plant seed oils. Much research has focused on the acyl-CoA-dependent reaction catalyzed by diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), which is an integral endoplasmic reticulum protein and has also been shown to be present in oil bodies and plastids. DGAT enzymes exhibit diverse biochemical properties among different plant species, many of which are summarized here. In addition to catalyzing a critical step in TAG biosynthesis, there is evidence that DGAT has roles in lipid metabolism associated with germination and leaf senescence. TAG can also be formed in plants via two different acyl-CoA-independent pathways, catalyzed by phospholipid: diacylglycerol acyltransferase and diacylglycerol transacylase. The current understanding of the terminal step in TAG formation in plants and the development of molecular genetic approaches aimed at altering TAG yield and FA composition of TAG are discussed.     

Influence of pulsed electric field on growths of soil bacteria and pepper plant

DC 20 volt of electricity was charged to the electrodes placed around hot pepper plants to induce electrical redox reaction. Anode and cathode were periodically exchanged at intervals of 30 seconds to develop a pulsed electric field (PEF), by which the ORP of the soil around the pepper plant roots were fluctuated from 17 to −13 volts. Mean viable cell number of the intrinsic bacteria in five different positions was variable from 77,000 to 396,000 around electrodes and 339,000 to 680,000 around plants in the PEF, and 538,000 to 927,000 around plants in the conventional field. The mean viable cell number of the extrinsic bacteria (R. solanacearum) in five different positions was variable from 15,000 to 47,000 around electrode and 152,000 to 374,000 around plant in the PEF, and 294,000 to 607,000 around plants in the conventional field. Mean 3.93 and 5.67 of hot pepper plants were infected with bacterial wilt every two days by passive and active infection, respectively, in the conventional field. Mean 1.25 and 2.5 of hot pepper plants were infected with bacterial wilt every two days by passive and active infection, respectively, in the PEF. Mean sprouting number of seeds in the PEF and conventional field and was 45.0 and 48.2, respectively. Mean dry weight of hot pepper plants was 3.15 g and 2.51 g in the PEF and conventional field, respectively. The TGGE band pattern in the PEF was not very different in comparison with that in the conventional field (B and D) based on the band number, which corresponds to the bacterial diversity. This study suggests that the PEF would be functioning as an environmental factor to inhibit bacterial growth rather than to be a physical agent to destroy bacterial cells.     

Sunflower-Oil Wax Reduction by Seed Solvent Washing

Wax distribution in sunflower seeds was determined by capillary-gas chromatography, as well as both the wax composition in sunflower oils obtained from washed seeds and the wax composition in the solvent extracts. The dehulling efficiency was evaluated by using a laboratory centrifugal process. The washing effect on hull morphology and on wax distribution was observed by scanning-electron microscopy. Washing preferentially removed the crystallized fraction, hexane being the most effective solvent. Short contact times (20 s) at 25–40 °C were sufficient to extract the insoluble waxes by hexane washing. The extracted material consisted of C40–C54 waxes with higher percentages of extracted C44, C46 and C48. These are superficially in the hull of sunflower seed presenting a non-uniform distribution as observed by microscopy. Solvent washing with pre-heating of the seeds caused a decrease in sample moisture content, which reduced dehulling ability. Ethanol-washed seeds were the easiest to dehull, but higher production of fines was also observed. Solvent washing improves both the dehulling-seed ability increment and the recovery of sunflower waxes as a by-product for commercial use.     

Effect of female and male genotypes and environment on wax composition in jojoba

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of genotype and environment on wax composition in jojoba seed, and thus be able to control it. Production of waxes with different compositions—and hence changed wax properties such as viscosity, boiling point, and thermal stability—may be of importance for future requirements of the jojoba industry. Wax composition of 23 female clones was determined for two growing seasons. The ratio of FA elongated to the sum of those reduced and esterified differed among genotypes, resulting in differences in the percentage of wax esters longer than 40 or 42 carbons. The clones ‘Yarden,’ ‘Gvati’, ‘Hazerim,’ ‘BGU,’ and ‘Negev’ had higher percentages of long-chain wax moieties than the clones ‘879–154’, ‘MS 55–4’, and ‘Forti.’ The contribution of the male genotype to wax composition was tested by pollinating bagged female flowers of four female clones with pollen from three male plants. Both male and female genotypes additively influenced the composition of the wax esters. Wax composition varied between growing seasons and locations, but differences between genotypes were consistent. Salinity of the irrigation water did affect wax composition in some clones. Under high salinity, the salt-sensitive clone ‘64’ produced a smaller percentage of long-chain wax esters, whereas in clone ‘Q-106’ wax composition did not change. In clone ‘874–154’ the chain lengths of the wax moieties in the seeds increased under medium salinity. We conclude that jojoba wax composition is influenced by both female and male genotypes and by environmental factors such as climate and salinity.