Some Specialty Uses of Plant Fatty Acids and Oils

Lipid Type

Example

Major and possible alternative sources

Major uses

Medium chain

Lauric acid

Palm kernel, coconut, Cuphea

Soaps, detergents

Long chain (>C20)

Erucic acid

Rapeseed, Crambe

Plastic film, lubricants

Conjugated

Eleostearic acid

Tung

Coatings

Hydroxy

Ricinoleic acid

Castor, Physaria

Lubricants, plastics

Epoxy

Vernolic acid

Epoxidized soybean oil, Vernonia

Plastics

Trienoic

Linolenic acid

Flax (linseed)

Coatings

Low melting solid

Cocoa butter

Cocoa bean, illipe, Shea

Chocolate, cosmetics

Wax ester

Jojoba oil

Jojoba

Lubricants, cosmetics