AN OXYGENATED FATTY ACID FROM THE SEED OIL OF HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS

Abstract

The fatty acids of okra seed oil (Hibiscusesculentus L.) were examined. Acetylation of the oil, followed by saponification and separation of the acids, gave 12,13-dihydroxyoleic acid. From this and other evidence it is concluded that 12,13-epoxyoleic acid is present as a constituent of the glycerides. An oxygenated acid has not been identified previously in seed oils of this plant family (Malvaceae). 9-Hexadecenoic acid was also found. The total fatty acid composition was determined by distillation of the methyl esters and analysis of the distilled fractions. The percentages of the acids identified were estimated as follows: 9-hexadecenoic 0.6, palmitic 29, linoleic 39, oleic 23, stearic 2, 12,13-epoxyoleic 3, arachidic <1. Myristic, eicosenoic, and trienoic acids were not detected and, if present, are judged to have been in amounts less than 1% of the total.