Epoxy oils from plant seeds

Epoxy acids have been reported in seed oils from more than 60 species in 12 plant families. The discovery of 9,10-epoxyoctadec-12-ynoic and 9,10-epoxy-trans-3,cis-12-octadecadienoic acids brings to six the number of natural epoxy acids now known to occur in seed oils. These latest epoxy acids and 15,16-epoxy-cis-9,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid have been found in only one species each and at levels lower than 5% of the oil. Coronaric (9,10-epoxy-cis-12-octadecenoic) acid and 9,10-epoxystearic acid have been encountered in several seed oils, the first as much as 15% of the oil and the latter in only small amounts. Vernolic (12,13-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenoic) acid, which has been identified in numerous oils, is the only epoxy acid known to occur in seed oils at levels above 15%, and it may constitute as much as 75%. On the basis of data available to date,Vernonia anthelmintica appears to have the best potential for commercial production of an epoxy oil. Although one improved line has been selected, continued improvement is needed. Formation of epoxy acids in oilseeds during storage after harvest has been demonstrated, and may be partly responsible for the small amounts of epoxide detected in oils from a wide variety of seeds. Presented at the AOCS Meeting, New Orleans, April 1970. No. Utiliz. Res. Dev. Div., ARS, USDA.