Characterization of cyclopropenoid acids in selected seed oils

Abstract

Evidence is provided that sterculic and malvalic acids occur together in seed oils of Sterculia foetida, Hibiscus syriacus, and Lavatera trimestris. Sterculia foetida oil contains 54.5% sterculic and 6.7% malvalic acids; Hibiscus syriacus oil contains 16.3% malvalic and 3.4% sterculic; and Lavatera trimestris oil contains 7.7% malvalic and 0.6% sterculic acids. Hibiscus syriacus oil also contains 1.5% dihydrosterculic acid. The cyclopropenoid acids were characterized by hydrogenation in conjunction with gas-liquid chromatography and by oxidation to β-dioxo acids with subsequent cleavage with peracetic acid. Acetolysis of epoxides in the presence of cyclopropenes was effected by room temperature treatment with acetic acid-10% sulfuric acid (5∶2). © 1961, The American Oil Chemists' Society. All rights reserved.