FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF STERCULIA SEEDS AND OILS FROM MADAGASCAR

Abstract

The percentage contents of oil and protein in the seeds of 17 species belonging to 9 genera of the Sterculiaceae family, growing in Madagascar, were determined. The major fatty acids were palmitic (11.6-27.5%), oleic (8.3-32.6%), linoleic (4.2-45.8%), malvalic (tr-53.7%), and sterculic (1.3-24.8%) acids. Heritiera littoralis seed oil was characterized by a high content of malvalic (53.7 %) and sterculic acids(12.4%). Cyclopropene fatty acids were identified and determined by using a combination of gas chromatographic and H-1 and C-13 NMR analyses. Dihydrosterculic acid was also detected in all samples at a low concentration.