Seed oils from cassia fistula, C. Occidentalis, and C. Tora (Indian varieties)

Abstract

Fatty acids from oils of Indian varieties ofC. fistula, C. occidentalis, andC. tora were fractionated by the lead salt-alcohol and methyl ester distillation methods. Compositions were calculated from the iodine values and saponification equivalents of the ester fractions. Identities of saturated acids were established by determining the properties of the recrystallized acids. Unsaturated acids were identified as the bromo-and hydroxy-derivatives. Cassia fistula, C. occidentalis, andC. tora oils were found to contain the following percentages of fatty acids, respectively: palmitic, 16.0, 19.7, 23.5; lignoceric, 5.2, 4.3, 3.4; oleic, 30.7, 31.6, 28.1; and linoleic, 48.1, 38.1, 45.0. In addition,C. occidentialis oil contained 6.3% of linolenic acid. Chrysophanic acid was isolated in yield of 0.6% fromC. tora oil, but only traces were obtained fromC. occidentalis oil.