The Characteristics of the Kapok (Ceiba pentadra, Gaertn.) Seed Oil

Abstract

The Malaysian Kapok (Ceiba pentadra) seeds were found to contain about 28 per cent oil. The oi from both raw and roasted seeds produced a positive Halphen test for cyclopropenoid fa tty acids. Acid value fatty acid composition by gas-liquid chromatography, iodine value, refractive index, saponification number and unsaponifiables of the oil were also determined. The values (area percent) for fa tty acids as methyl ester were: C14:0 (0.25% ), C16:0 (24.31%), C16:1 (0.4% ), C18:0 (2.65% ), C18:1 (21.88% ), C l 8:1 (38.92%), C20:0 plus C l8:3 ( 1%)> malvalic acid (7.18% ), C22:0 (0.44% ), and sterculic acid (2.96%) Malvalic and sterculic acids were determined as AgNO3-C II3OH derivatives of their methyl esters. Since the cyclopropenoid fatty acids bring about a number of abnormal physiological effects in experi­mental animals, it would be extremely unwise to consume these seeds.