Fatty acid profile of seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos) seed oil and properties of the methyl esters

Abstract

In recent literature, seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos; also known previously as Kosteletzkya virginica) seed oil was reported as a potential alternative feedstock for biodiesel. In the present work, the fatty acid profile of K. pentacarpos is shown to correspond to that of other plants in the Malvaceae family by containing approximately 6% fatty acids with cyclic moieties, namely malvalic acid as well as dihydrosterculic acid. Previously determined properties of biodiesel from seashore mallow are discussed under the aspect of the fatty acid profile. The 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra of K. pentacarpos methyl esters, which confirm the fatty acid profile, are also discussed.