New source of alpha-eleostearic acid: Ricinocarpus bowmanii and Ricinocarpus tuberculatus seed oils

Abstract

Oil content and nature of fatty acids present in seeds of Ricinocarpus bowmanii F Muell and R. tuberculatus Muell Arg (Euphorbiaceae) were investigated, as part of a search for new sources of unusual fatty acids. alpha-Eleostearic acid was identified and estimated by a combination of spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses. Seed oils of R. bowmanii and R. tuberculatus were found to contain 60.9 and 46.8% alpha-eleostearic acid, resp. Qualitative tests indicated the absence of hydroxy, epoxy, and cyclopropene fatty acids in the seed oils. UV spectra of both oils showed maxima at 261, 271 and 282 nm indicating cis,trans,trans configuration.