OIL COMPARISON OF CAMELLIA SPECIES OF JAPAN AND CHINA

Abstract

The fruits of 15 species of camellia plants were collected from Japan and China to estimate the oil contents of the fruits and the fatty acid compositions of camellia oils. Among these species, weights of fresh fruits, seed proportions of dried fruits and kernel oil contents differed significantly in ranges of 4-590 g, 14-34%, and 12-57%, respectively. These facts implied the necessity of selecting elite species with large productivities in silviculture practice. Palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids were the major fatty acids in each camellia oil, constituting more than 95% of the total fatty acids. The oils contained essential fatty acids (EFAs), that is, linoleic and linolenic acids in a range of 5-25%. Based on the seed proportion, fruit-based oil content (FOG), and the EFA content, two species; namely, Camellia yuhsienensis Hu and C. meiocarpa Hu can be selected as elite species for producing oil.