STUDIES ON APOCYNACEA SEED OILS

Abstract

The fatty acid composition of three seed oils of Apocynaceae has been studied in this investigation. The seed oils of Apocynaceae were examined for their component acids and were found to contain the following acids: Rauwolfia serpentina, Benth, (wt.%) lauric 0.2 %, myristic 0.8 %, palmitic 17.7%, stearic 4.9 %, arachidic 0.9 %, behenic 0.6 %, oleic 34.4 %, and linoleic 40.5 %. Rauwolfia tetraphylla, Linn. syn. Rauwolfia canescens, Linn., Rauwolfia heterophylla, Roem and Schult, (wt.%) lauric 0.9 %, myristic 3.4 %, palmitic 25.7 %, stearic 10.3%, arachidic 1.6%, behenic 1.4%, oleic 36.5 %, and linoleic 20.2 %. Vinca rosea Linn syn. Lochnera rosea, Linn. (wt.%) lauric 0.2%, myristic 1.0%, palmitic 1.4 %, stearic 6.8 %, arachidic 1.3 %, behenic 0.6 %, oleic 73.6 %, and linoleic 15.1 %.