Fatty acid variation in seed oil amongOcimum species

Content, fatty acid composition, and glyceride profile of oil from seeds of seven basil (Ocimum sp.) chemotypes were determined. The species studied includedO. basilicum, O. canum, O. gratissimum, andO. sanctum. The oil content ranged from 18 to 26%, with triglycerides comprising between 94 and 98% of extracted neutral lipids. The major acylated fatty acids were linolenic (43.8–64.8%), linoleic (17.8–31.3%), oleic (8.5–13.3%), and palmitic acid (6.1–11.0%). Linolenic acid was similar among the fourO. basilicum chemotypes (57–62%), highest inO. canum (65%), and lowest inO. sanctum (44%). Basil seed oil appears suitable as an edible oil or can be used for industrial purposes, and could be processed in the same way as linseed oil. Preliminary calculations estimate that a hectare of basil could produce from 300 to 400 kg of seed oil.     

Vernonia galamensis: A rich source of epoxy acid

A percolation extraction ofVernonia galamensis seed, affording 38.6% of crude vernonia oil is described. The dark colored crude oil was degummed with water, treated with activated charcoal and bleached with a neutral agent, to give a light colored oil (Lovibond: 0.9 red, 3.5 yellow). Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis of the refined oil indicates a relative fatty acid composition of 79–81% vernolic (cis-12,13-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenoic) acid, 11–12% linoleic acid, 4–6% oleic acid, 2–3% stearic acid, 2–4% palmitic acid, and a trace amount of arachidic acid.     

Lipid composition of perilla seed

The composition of lipids and oil characteristics from perilla [Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.] seed cultivars are reported. Total lipid contents of the five perilla seed cultivars ranged from 38.6 to 47.8% on a dry weight basis. The lipids consisted of 91.2–93.9% neutral lipids, 3.9–5.8% glycolipids and 2.0–3.0% phospholipids. Neutral lipids consisted mostly of triacylglycerols (88.1–91.0%) and small amounts of sterol esters, hydrocarbons, free fatty acids, free sterols and partial glycerides. Among the glycolipids, esterified sterylglycoside (48.9–53.2%) and sterylglycoside (22.1–25.4%) were the most abundant, while monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol were present as minor components. Of the phospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine (50.4–57.1%) and phosphatidylcholines (17.6–20.6%) were the major components, and phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol were present in small quantities. The major fatty acids of the perilla oil were linolenic (61.1–64.0%), linoleic (14.3–17.0%) and oleic acids (13.2–14.9%). Some of the physicochemical characteristics and the tocopherol composition of perilla oil were determined.     

Variation in Fatty Acid Compositions, Oil Content and Oil Yield in a Germplasm Collection of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The variation in oil content, oil yield and fatty acid compositions of 103 sesame landraces was investigated. The landraces varied widely in their oil quantity and quality. The oil content varied between 41.3 and 62.7%, the average being 53.3%. The percentage content of linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids in the seed oil ranged between 40.7–49.3, 29.3–41.4, 8.0–10.3 and 2.1–4.8%, respectively. Linolenic and arachidic acids were the minor constituents of the sesame oil. Linoleic and oleic acids were the major fatty acids of sesame with average values of 45.7 and 37.2%, respectively. The total means of oleic and linoleic acids as unsaturated fatty acids of sesame were about 83% which increases the suitability of the sesame oil for human consumption. The superiority of the collection was observed in oil content. The oil content of a few accessions was above 60%, proving claims that some varieties of sesame can reach up to 63% in oil content. The accessions with the highest oil content were relatively richer in the linoleic acid content while there were some landraces in which linoleic and oleic acid contents were in a proportion of almost 1:1. The results obtained in this study provide useful background information for developing new cultivars with a high oil content and different fatty acid compositions. Several accessions could be used as parental lines in breeding programmes aiming to increase sesame oil quantity and quality.     

γ-Linolenic and stearidonic acids in Mongolian Boraginaceae

Seeds of nine Central Asian species of Boraginaceae were investigated for the first time for their oil content and for the fatty acid composition of their seed oils by capillary gas chromatography. Levels of γ-linolenic acid ranged from 6.6 to 13.0% and levels of stearidonic acid ranged from 2.4 to 21.4% of total seed fatty acids. The seed oil ofHackelia deflexa exhibited the highest stearidonic acid content (21.4%) that has been found so far in nature. Other high contents of this fatty acid were in threeLappula species (17.2 to 18.1%). Seed oils ofCynoglossum divaricatum andAmblynotus rupestris contain considerable amounts ofcis-11-eicosenoic (5.3 to 5.8%) andcis-13-docosenoic acid (7.0 to 9.7%) besides γ-linolenic (10.2 to 13.0%) and stearidonic acid (2.4 to 6.5%), which distinguish these oils from those of other Boraginaceae genera. This paper was presented as a poster at 10th Minisymposium and Workshop on Plant Lipids, Sept. 3–6, 1995, in Berne, Switzerland.     

Determination of the Fatty Acid Composition of Acorn (Quercus), Pistacia lentiscus Seeds Growing in Algeria

The fruits of two plants from Algeria (Quercus and Pistacia lentiscus) were investigated. The paper reports the chemical characteristics and the fatty acid composition of the oil extracts from the fruits. The black fruits of P. lentiscus has the highest crude fat of 32.8%, followed by the red fruits with 11.7%, and the lowest value of 9% in Quercus (acorn). The acid value was highest in red fruits of P. lentiscus oil (24.0 mg KOH/g), followed by the black fruits oil and lowest in acorn oil. The relatively high iodine value in the oils indicates the presence of many unsaturated bonds. Saponification value was highest in the Quercus ilex oil (166.7 mg KOH/g), while the lowest value was in the black fruits of P. lentiscus oil. Gas-liquid chromatography revealed that the three dominant fatty acids found are: palmitic C16:0 (16.3–19.5%), oleic C18:1 (55.3–64.9%), linoleic C18:2 (17.6–28.4%). The oils contain an appreciable amount of unsaturated fatty acids (78.8–83.5%).     

Energy-dense liquid fuel intermediates by pyrolysis of guayule (Parthenium argentatum) shrub and bagasse

Guayule is a perennial shrub grown in the southwestern United States that is used to produce high quality, natural rubber latex. However, only about 10% of the plant material is used for latex production; the remaining biomass, called bagasse, can be used for renewable fuel production. Fast pyrolysis of guayule, both whole shrub and bagasse was performed. From both feedstocks a very viscous, high energy content (∼30 MJ/kg) pyrolysis liquid (bio-oil) was produced in yields averaging over 60% without any catalyst. The properties and compositions of the bio-oils were found to be similar in the two feedstocks. Co-products, charcoal (20-30 wt%) and non-condensable gas (5-15%), were also dense and had a high energy content. Of the two feedstocks, the whole shrub yielded higher quantities of charcoal that also had a higher energy content than the charcoal produced from bagasse. As a result, the energy recovery, estimated as the percentage of the energy products, to energy input into the reactor was lower (60%) for guayule bagasse than for the whole shrub (73%). This notwithstanding, the bagasse is a more attractive feedstock for thermochemical conversion, not only because it is a residue from a primary process (latex extraction) that is on-site, but also because it has a high energy content. Moreover, it produces high quality pyrolysis products. Co-production of latex rubber from the whole shrub and renewable fuels from the residual bagasse by pyrolysis should improve the already positive economics of the guayule latex rubber industry.     

Productivity and cytogenetic characteristics of guayule. Screening of plants from the mapimi region

Guayule plants were screened in the region of Mapimi (Durango, Mexico) to evaluate physicochemical parameters for selection of increased productivity. The objective was to characterize rubber, and resin content, stem diameter, rubber molecular weight and cytology of these plants to identify and select high productivity sites. Samples were collected from nine locations within the Mapimi Region. Inflorescences containing young floral buds of the same plants were selected to determine ploidy level. Cytogenetic results showed the presence of di-, tri- and tetraploids. Samples for rubber and resin analysis were cut from the branches. Genetic variation in molecular weight and molecular weight distributions for rubber was measured. Significant differences were found in resin content and stem diameter between the sampling sites, but differences were not significant for the rubber content between sites. A productivity parameter was defined and used to identify two locations where guayule genotypes exhibited the best characteristics for commercialization. This information may increase the industrial development and understanding of the polymerization bioprocess.     

Variation in lipid composition of niger seed (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) Samples collected from different regions in ethiopia

Niger seed samples were collected from different regions in Ethiopia for determination of oil content, and of fatty acid, tocopherol and sterol composition in the seed oil by gas-liquid chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography methods. There was a large variation in oil content, ranging from 29 to 39%. More than 70% of the fatty acids was linoleic acid (18∶2) in all samples analyzed. The other predominant fatty acids were palmitic (16∶0), stearic (18∶0) and oleic (19∶1) at a range of 6 to 11% each. Total polar lipids recovered after preparative thin-layer chromatography comprised a small fraction of the total lipids. They had higher 16∶0 and lower 18∶2 contents than the triacylglycerols.α-Tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol in all samples, 94–96% of the total amounting to 630–800 μg/g oil. More than 40% of the total sterols wasβ-sitosterol,ca. 2000μg/g oil. The other major sterols were campesterol and stigmasterol, ranging from 11 to 14%. The Δ5- and Δ7-avenasterols were in the range of 4 to 7%. From the samples studied, no conclusion could be drawn regarding the influence of altitude or location on oil content, tocopherol and/or sterol contents. The results of the present study on niger seed oil are discussed in comparison with known data for common oils from Compositae,viz, safflower and sunflower.     

Enzymatic preparation of polyethylene glycol esters of castor oil fatty acids and their surface-active properties

This study concerns the preparation and evaluation of nonionic surfactants prepared from polyethylene glycol (PEG) esters of castor oil fatty acid, a source of hydroxy fatty acid. A lipase-catalyzed esterification reaction has been employed to prepare PEG esters of hydroxy acid to overcome problems associated with chemical processes. Castor oil fatty acid (85% ricinoleic acid) was mixed with PEG of different molecular weight. Rhizomucor miehei lipase was added as catalyst (10% level) and the reaction was continued at 60°C under 2 mm Hg pressure for 360 min. Conversion of PEG to esters was in the range of 86–94%, depending on the molecular size of PEG. The products were isolated and examined for surface activity by surface tension measurement. Surface tension values measured at 25°C were about 36–37 dynes/cm.     

Investigating Some Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid Composition of Native Black Mulberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Morus nigra</Emphasis> L.) Seed Oil

The physicochemical properties of seed and seed oil obtained from the native black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) were investigated in 2008 and 2009. The results showed that the seed consisted of 27.5–33% crude oil, 20.2–22.5% crude protein, 3.5–6% ash, 42.4–46.6% carbohydrate and 112.2–152.0 mg total phenolics/100 g. Twenty different fatty acids were determined, with the percentages varying from 0.02% myristic acid (C14:0) to 78.7% linoleic acid (C18:2). According to the GC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters, linoleic acid (C18:2), followed by palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1) and stearic acid (C18:0) were the major fatty acids, which together comprised approximately 97% of the total identified fatty acids. High C18:2 content (average 73.7%) proved that the black mulberry seed oil is a good source of the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid. Linolenic acid (C18:3) was also found in a relatively lower amount (0.3–0.5%). The α-tocopherol content was found to be between 0.17 and 0.20 mg in 100 g seed oil. The main sterols in the mulberry seed oil were β-sitosterol, Δ5-avenasterol, Δ5, 23-stigmastadienol, clerosterol, sitosterol and Δ5, 24-stigmastadienol. The present study stated that the native black mulberry seed oil can be used as a nutritional dietary substance and has great usage potential.     

Comparative Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of Jatropha Seed Oil from Malaysia,Indonesia and Thailand

The jatropha oil was extracted from the jatropha seeds collected from different origins viz., Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. The physicochemical properties such as density, viscosity, percentage free fatty acid (FFA), iodine value, saponification value and peroxide value of the extracted jatropha seed oil were evaluated. The evaluation of fatty acid composition using gas chromatography (GC) revealed that, oleic (42.4–48.8%) and linoleic acid (28.8–34.6%) are the dominant fatty acids present in the jatropha seed oil. The saturated fatty acids such as palmitic and stearic acid lie in the range 13.25–14.5 and 7–7.7%, respectively. The observed major triacylglycerol (TAG) composition was OOL (22.94–25.75%) and OLL (15.52–20.77%).     

Oils in the Seeds of Caneberries Produced in Korea

Seed and oil contents, and fatty acid compositions of oils of 20 caneberries grown in Korea were determined. Fatty acid compositions of the oils were analyzed using GC for the extracted and methylated oils from the berry seeds. The seeds comprised 4–10% (w/w) of the wet berries and accounted for 26–62% of the dry berries. Moisture and oil contents of the berry seeds were 8–17 and 13–28% (dry basis), respectively. More than 90% of the total fatty acids in the oils from the berry seeds were unsaturated. Linoleic and linolenic acids comprised 49–70 and 13–34%, respectively, of the oils in the berry seeds.     

Determination of the fatty acid composition of the oil in intact-seed mustard by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to estimate the fatty acid composition of the oil in intact-seed samples of Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata Braun) within a mutation breeding program that produced seeds with variable fatty acid compositions. Five populations, from 1992 to 1996 crops, were included in this study; and NIRS calibration equations for major fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosenoic, and erucic) were developed within each single population. Furthermore, global calibration equations, including samples from the five populations, were developed. After external validation, the NIRS technique permitted us to obtain a reliable and accurate nondestructive estimation of the fatty acid composition of the oil, especially for the major acids—oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and erucic. For these, the r ² in external validation was higher than 0.95 by using both single-and multipopulation equations, and higher than 0.85 for the remaining fatty acids. Moreover, the multipopulation equations provided an accurate estimation of samples from a population not represented in the calibration data set, with values of coefficient of determination in validation (r ²) from 0.80 (palmitic and eicosenoic acids) to 0.97 (erucic acid). The ability of NIRS to discriminate among different fatty acid profiles was mainly due to changes within six spectral regions, 1140–1240, 1350–1400, 1650–1800, 1880–1920, 2140–2200, and 2240–2380 nm, all of them associated with fatty acid absorbers. Thus, NIRS can be used to estimate the fatty acid composition of Ethiopian mustard seeds with a high degree of accuracy, provided that calibration equations be developed from calibration sets that include large variability for the fatty acid composition of the oil.     

Conifer seeds: Oil content and fatty acid composition

The seed oils from twenty-five Conifer species (from four families—Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, Taxodiaceae, and Taxaceae) have been analyzed, and their fatty acid compositions were established by capillary gas-liquid chromatography on two columns with different polarities. The oil content of the seeds varied from less than 1% up to 50%. Conifer seed oils were characterized by the presence of several Δ5-unsaturated polymethylene-interrupted polyunsaturated fatty acids (Δ5-acids) with either 18 (cis-5,cis-9, 18∶2,cis-5,cis-9,cis-12 18∶3, andcis-5,cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18∶4 acids) or 20 carbon atoms (cis-5,cis-11 20∶2,cis-5,cis-11,cis-14, 20∶3, andcis-5,cis-11,cis-14,cis-17 20∶4 acids). Pinaceae seed oils contained 17–31% of Δ5-acids, mainly with 18 carbon atoms. The 20-carbon acids present were structurally derived from 20∶1n-9 and 20∶2n-6 acids. Pinaceae seed oils were practically devoid of 18∶3n-3 acid and did not contain either Δ5-18∶4 or Δ5-20∶4 acids. Several Pinaceae seeds had a Δ5-acid content higher than 50 mg/g of seed. The only Taxaceae seed oil studied (Taxus baccata) had a fatty acid composition related to those of Pinaceae seed oils. Cupressaceae seed oils differed from Pinaceae seed oils by the absence of Δ5-acids with 18 carbon atoms and high concentrations in 18∶3n-3 acid and in Δ5-acids with 20 carbon atoms (Δ5-20∶3 and Δ5-20∶4 acids). Δ5-18∶4 Acid was present in minute amounts. The highest level of Δ5-20∶4 acid was found inJuniperus communis seed oil, but the best source of Δ5-acids among Cupressaceae wasThuja occidentalis. Taxodiaceae seed oils had more heterogeneous fatty acid compositions, but the distribution of Δ5-acids resembled that found in Cupressaceae seed oils. Except forSciadopytis verticillata, other Taxodiaceae species are not interesting sources of Δ5-acids. The distribution profile of Δ5-acids among different Conifer families appeared to be linked to the occurrence of 18∶3n-3 acid in the seed oils.     

γ-Linolenic acid concentrates from borage and evening primrose oil fatty acidsvia lipase-catalyzed esterification

γ-Linolenic acid (GLA, all-cis 6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid) has been enriched from fatty acids of borage (Borago officinalis L.) seed oil to 93% from the initial concentration of 20% by lipase-catalyzed selective esterification of the fatty acids withn-butanol in the presence ofn-hexane as solvent. The immobilized fungal lipase preparation, Lipozyme, used as biocatalyst, preferentially esterified palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids and discriminated against GLA, which was thus concentrated in the unesterified fatty acids fraction. In the absence of hexane, concentrate containing about 70% GLA was obtained. When the reaction conditions, optimized for borage oil fatty acids, were applied to fatty acids of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) oil, concentrates containing 75% GLA were obtained. From both oils, GLA concentrates were prepared efficiently in short reaction times (1–3 h) at 30–60°C. The process can be applied for the production of GLA concentrates for dietetic purposes.     

Protein influences on guayule and Hevea natural rubber sol and gel

Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) is under cultivation in the southwestern United States as an alternative source of natural rubber free from proteins that cause Type I latex allergies. However, since guayule lacks the protein‐polymer interactions present in Hevea latex, its physical and chemical properties may differ. The solvent‐soluble (Sol) and insoluble (Gel) fractions from guayule and Hevea natural rubbers were isolated through a solubilization/centrifugation deproteinization process. Protein could be reduced or removed by centrifugation, or concentrated in the gel fraction for both Hevea and guayule rubber. Separation of the sol fraction of Hevea rubber reduced the overall protein level, in some cases to below detection limits, without impacting rubber thermo‐oxidative stability. Notably, no detectable cross reactions took place between guayule protein antibodies and Hevea‐based materials, nor vice‐versa. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42051.     

Whole-plant oils,potential new industrial raw materials

In an extensive screening program, 14 plant species have been identified which have good potential as hydrocarbon- and rubber-producing crops. These plants contain from 5 to 10% oil plus polymeric hydrocarbon on a dry weight basis. Since their dry matter yield should be 11,200 to 22,400 kg/ha/year, they would produce several times as much oil as conventional oilseed crops. In these plants, the oil is not concentrated in storage organs, i.e., seed or fruit tissue, but is distributed throughout the whole plant. Several species are lactiferous, with oil as a major component of the latex. A few which are of primary interest as potential new sources of natural rubber produce an equal yield of by-product oil. A prominent feature of most whole-plant oils is their large component of nonglyceride esters. Such oils could become valuable new feedstocks for production of plasticizers for rubber and plastics and new sources of waxes, long chain alcohols, sterols, terpenes, fatty acids, and other products. A petroleum refinery could be operated on whole-plant oils, and some species are being referred to as potential “gasoline trees.” Presented at the AOCS Meeting, St. Louis, May 1978.     

Monitoring of Fat Content,Free Fatty Acid and Fatty Acid Profile Including <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> Fat in Pakistani Biscuits

The fat contents of 12 brands of biscuits were extracted and evaluated for free fatty acids (FFA) and their fatty acid composition (FAC). The oil content and FFA varied from 13.7 to 27.6% and 0.2 to 1.0%, respectively. The FAC was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy with particular emphasis on trans fatty acids (TFA). Total saturated, unsaturated, cis-monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were determined in the range of 37.9–46.9, 53.0–62.0, 12.3–43.7 and 0.1–9.2%, respectively. The high amount of TFA was observed in all biscuit samples and varied from 9.3 to 34.9%. The quantity and quality of the lipid fraction of the biscuits indicated that the all analyzed biscuits are a rich source of fat, saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids, consequently not suitable for the health of consumers. The high content of trans fatty acids and palmitic acid also indicated that blends of RBD palm oil and partially hydrogenated oil had been used in the biscuit manufacturing.     

A Comparative Study of the Properties of Selected Melon Seed Oils as Potential Candidates for Development into Commercial Edible Vegetable Oils

A comprehensive compositional and characterization study was carried out on five seed oils from varieties of the melons Citrullus lanatus and C. colocynth in order to evaluate their suitability for large-scale exploitation as edible vegetable oils. The oils were extracted by Soxhlet with a 3:1 mixture of n-hexane/2-propanol with yields that ranged from 24.8 to 30.0% (wt/wt). The refractive indices and relative densities of the oils fell within the narrow ranges of 1.465–1.469 and 0.874–0.954 g/cm³, respectively. Saponification values ranged between 182.1 and 193.8 mg KOH/g, whilst iodine values (IV) ranged from 95.8 to 124.0 (Wijs). The ranges of the values for free fatty acid (AV), 1.2–4.0 mg KOH/g, peroxide (PV), 1.1–10.9 meq/kg and p-anisidine (p-AV), 0.2–9.0, indicated that secondary oxidation products were barely present. GC analysis gave total unsaturation contents of 67.93–82.36%, with linoleic acid (18:2) being the dominant fatty acid (55.21–66.85%). The GC results agreed closely with those from proton NMR analysis of the fatty acid classes. The physicochemical and compositional properties determined in this study show that the qualities of the test Cucurbitacea seed oils are highly comparable to those of soybean, sunflower and groundnut seed oils. Therefore, the test melon seed oils could be developed into commercial products to serve as alternate vegetable oils in Southern and West Africa, the regions where these melons grow.