The fatty acid composition of the oil from the kernels of Semicarpus anacardium

Abstract

Kernels of S. anacardium contain a black, liquid vesicant and a reddish-brown oil, useful against white ants. The compn. of the oil was detd. by fractionation of the Me esters (I), countercurrent distribution of urea adducts of I, and elution of urea adducts of the fatty acids. Resp. compn. values obtained were: myristic, 0, 0.06, 0.17; palmitic, 3.18, 5.69, 8.33; stearic, 12.87, 17.46, 12.65; arachidic, 0, 0.37, 0; oleic, 64.36, 59.51, 61.84; linoleic, 19.59, 16.91, 17.01. The oil, 33.78% by wt., had an I no. of 87.24, sapon. no. 196.9, acetyl no. 1.50, nD(temp. not given) 1.4446, unsaponifiable 0.51%