Characterization of biodiesel and bio-oil from Sterculia striata (chicha) oil

This work describes the mechanical and solvent extraction of Sterculia striata seed oil. It was determined that the seeds contain up to 41% in oil, which has an unusual composition. Indeed, up to 50% of the fatty acid contain cyclopropenoid ring. The oil was used as raw material to produce bio-oil and biodiesel and their physical-chemical properties were evaluated. Some of the studied physical-chemical properties of the S. striata biodiesel are in acceptable range for use as biodiesel in diesel engines, showing a promising economic exploitation of this raw material in semi-arid regions. It was also observed that the cyclopropenoid ring remains after transesterification and is decomposed during pyrolysis.     

Preparation of biodiesel from Idesia polycarpa var. vestita fruit oil

The feasibility of producing biodiesel from Idesia polycarpa var. vestita fruit oil was studied. A methyl ester biodiesel was prepared from refined I. polycarpa fruit oil using methanol and potassium hydroxide (KOH) in an alkali-catalyzed transesterification process. The experimental variables investigated in this study were catalyst concentration (0.5–2.0 wt.% of oil), methanol/oil molar ratio (4.5:1 to 6.5:1), temperature (20–60 °C) and reaction time (20–60 min). A maximum yield of over 99% of methyl esters in I. polycarpa fruit oil biodiesel was achieved using a 6:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil, 1.0% KOH (% oil) and reaction time for 40 min at 30 °C. The properties of I. polycarpa fruit oil methyl esters produced under optimum conditions were also analyzed for specifications for biodiesel as fuel in diesel engines according to China Biofuel Systems Standards. The fuel properties of the I. polycarpa fruit oil biodiesel obtained are similar to the No. 0 light diesel fuel and most of the parameters comply with the limits established by specifications for biodiesel.     

Determination of selection criteria for seed yield and seed oil content in Vernonia (Vernonia galamensis variety ethiopica)

The magnitude of relationships among different traits is important in plant breeding programs to identify the best selection criteria and improve the efficiency of selection. This study was conducted to determine relationships between seed yield and seed oil content with other important agronomic traits among 36 diverse accessions of Vernonia (Vernonia galamensis variety ethiopica), a potentially novel industrial oilseed crop. Field evaluations were conducted during 2005, 2006 and 2007 at the Limpopo Province in South Africa using a partially balanced lattice design. Simple correlation and path analysis were performed to identify the best selection criteria for increased seed yield and seed oil content. Simple correlation and path analyses revealed that the formation of productive primary heads strongly associated with increased seed yield (r_g = 0.81, p < 0.001). Furthermore, path analysis indicated selection for increased number of primary heads would bring about simultaneous and favorable change towards reduced days to maturity and shorter plant height. Further associational study of traits with seed oil content showed a significant (p < 0.05) correlation between oil content with 1000 seed weight (r_g = 0.4). The path analysis, however, exposed seed yield followed by 1000 seed weight with significant direct effect on seed oil content. The study demonstrated that selection for increased number of productive primary heads is the principal selection criterion to improve seed yield. Whereas selection for 1000 seed weight and increased seed yield serve as major selection criteria to achieve increased oil content in V. galemanesis.     

Variability assessment in Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre germplasm for biodiesel traits

Wide variability in oil content was observed in 75 germplasm accessions of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre collected from Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. Out of these, fatty acid profiles of 21 accessions with varying seed oil content were examined. Large variation was observed in stearic, oleic and linoleic fatty acid composition i.e. 1.83–11.50%, 46.66–65.35% and 12.02–32.58% respectively while less variation i.e. 9.25–12.87% was found with palmitic acid content. Saponification number (SN), iodine value (IV) and cetane number (CN) of fatty acid methyl esters of oils varied from 183.3 to 200.91, 74.78 to 100.98 and 50.85 to 59.11 respectively. Fatty acid composition, IV and CN were used to predict the quality of fatty acid methyl esters of oil for use as biodiesel. Fatty acid methyl esters of oils of P. pinnata accessions DORPP 49, 72 and 83 were found most suitable (CN more than 56.6) for use as biodiesel and they meet the major specification of biodiesel standards of USA, Germany and European Standard Organization. The range of variability found for various biodiesel standards in accessions of P. pinnata can be utilized for the establishment of plantations of promising genotypes through clonal means for increased productivity.     

Chemical composition and profile characteristics of Osage orange Maclura pomifera (Rafin.) Schneider seed and seed oil

Studies were conducted on the properties of seeds and oil extracted from Maclura pomifera seeds. The following values (on a dry-weight basis) were obtained for M. pomifera seed, respectively: moisture 5.88%, ash 6.72%, oil 32.75% and the high protein content 33.89%. The carbohydrate content (20.76%) can be regarded as a source of energy for animals if included in their diets. The major nutrients (mg/100 g oil) were: potassium (421.65), calcium (218.56) and magnesium (185.00). The physicochemical properties of the oil include: the saponification number 174.57; the iodine value 141.43; the p-anisidine value 1.86; the peroxide value 2.33 meq O₂/kg; the acid value 0.66; the carotenoid content 0.59 mg/100 g oil; the chlorophyll content 0.02 (mg/100 g oil) and the refractive index 1.45. Polymorphic changes were observed in thermal properties of M. pomifera seed oil. This showed absorbency in the UV-B and UV-C ranges with a potential for use as a broad spectrum UV protectant. The main fatty acids of the crude oil were linoleic (76.19%), oleic (13.87%), stearic (6.76%) and palmitic acid (2.40%). The polyunsaturated triacylglycerols (TAGs) LLL, PLL, POL + SLL, OLL, OOL (L: linoleic acid, O: oleic, P: palmitic acid and S: stearic acid) acids were the major TAGs found in M. pomifera seed oil. A relatively high level of sterols making up 852.93 mg/100 g seed oil was present. The sterol marker, β-sitosterol, accounted for 81% of the total sterol content in the seed oil and is followed by campesterol (7.4%), stigmasterol (4.2%), lupeol (4.1%) and Δ⁵-avenesterol (3.2%). The seed oil was rich in tocopherols with the following composition (mg/100 g): α-tocopherol 18.92; γ-tocopherol 10.80; β-tocopherol 6.02 and δ-tocopherol 6.29. The results showed that M. pomifera seed oil could be used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food products.     

Castor yield in response to planting date at four locations in the south-central United States

Oilseed crops have potential use in the production of biodiesel. Currently, most oil going into the production of biodiesel is derived from soybean (Gylcine max L.) grown in the central U.S. Inability of the southeastern states to compete with central U.S. soybean production has lead to the search for alternative oilseeds. The high oil content and unique properties of castor (Ricinus communis L.) give it potential for use as biodiesel. However, there is limited information on potential yields, adaptation, and planting dates of adaptation of modern castor cultivars. This study was designed to determine potential yields and ideal planting dates of castor at various locations in Mississippi and Tennessee. A single castor cultivar was sequentially planted at 14 day intervals, at four locations, ranging from Memphis, TN south to Poplarville, MS. Annual planting occurred from 1 April to 1 July at all locations, except the 1 April planting date was excluded from the two northern locations. Mean yield ranged from 89 to 1954 kg ha^?1. Northern most locations and earliest plantings resulted in the greatest yields. Precocious flowering of castor immediately after 1 April planting at Shubuta, MS was associated with a lower yield. This flowering event was also observed at Poplarville, but did not significantly affect yield. The yield reductions due to southern planting coupled with precocious flowering at the southern locations seem to indicate a limited zone of adaptation for castor.     

Clonal variation and correlation of seed characters in Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.

Clonal variation and inter-character correlation of 11 seed characters were evaluated in 21 clones of Hevea brasiliensis. The characters were seed length, width, volume and weight, kernel and shell weight, and ratios of seed length/width, seed/kernel weight, seed/shell weight, kernel/shell weight and seed weight/volume. Clonal variation was evaluated through analysis of variance, F-test and least significant difference. Inter-character phenotypic correlation of clonal means was calculated. Genotypic correlation coefficients were estimated using genotypic variance and covariance obtained through analyses of variance and covariance respectively.There was significant clonal variation for each of the 11 seed characters with outstanding seed and kernel weights in PR 107. Significant phenotypic and genotypic correlation was obtained among six characters that are of importance to farmers and seed-millers. This means that selection can be applied on only one of the six characters for simultaneous improvement in the other desired characters. Among these characters, kernel weight had relatively high and consistent heritability estimate. Kernel weight will therefore be adequate for improvement and, hence, simultaneous improvement in the other five important seed characters (seed weight and ratios of seed/kernel weight, seed/shell weight, kernel/shell weight and seed weight/volume).     

Molecular analyses of genetic variability in soap nut (Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.)

Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. (Sapindaceae) is commercially an important plant much valued for its fruits commonly known as soap nut as well as for the seed oil used as a feed-stock for biodiesel production. Molecular polymorphism, determined, using three single primer amplification reaction (SPAR) methods (RAPD, DAMD and ISSR) is used to assess the genetic variability in 69 accessions of S. mukorossi Gaertn., encompassing different geographical regions in India. Cumulative band data generated using the three SPAR methods resulted in 82.49% polymorphism across all genotypes of S. mukorossi Gaertn. UPGMA tree showed two major clusters that were in accordance with the geographical diversity. The intra-population genetic diversity (0.16), Shannon information index (0.24) and polymorphic loci (45.62%) were highest in AS population, while the corresponding lowest values were recorded in HP population. The inter-population average distance ranged from 0.05 (GA and HP) to 0.26 (AP and HP). Based on these distances, the UPGMA tree for the populations was computed, which showed the presence of two major clusters. Cluster I contained all the populations from Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Uttarakhand (GA and KU) and cluster II grouped the populations from North Eastern region (AS, AP, MG). The present study showed that SPAR methods are informative and useful to unravel the diversity among different populations of the soap nut plants and is a prelude for further utilization of promising and genetically divergent materials in the breeding programmes.     

Development and application of molecular markers for TSW (thousand-seed weight) related gene BnaGRF7.C02 in Brassica napus

Brassica napus L. (rapeseed) is one of the most important oil crops with large cultivated area in China. Seed size and seed weight play crucial roles for yield and harvest. In this study, a type of 15 bp-deletion in BnaGRF7.C02 coding region was identified through sequence alignment of BnaGRF7.C02 in 42 rapeseed varieties, and association analysis indicated that the 15 bp-deletion was related to the rapeseed Thousand-Seed Weight (TSW) phenotype. Furthermore, we developed two InDel markers to identify this 15 bp InDel. The tissue-specific expression patterns showed that BnaGRF7.C02 prominently expressed in the late stage of seed development. These findings may assist in InDel markers-based breeding efforts to select higher TWS varieties and improve the crop yield of B. napus.     

Microemulsion-based palm kernel oil extraction using mixed surfactant solutions

This study introduces a novel technique using surfactant microemulsion-based oil seed extraction. To achieve this objective, microemulsion formation with palm kernel oil was studied first. Then, the selected microemulsion system was used for palm kernel extraction. The results showed that the mixed surfactant of 3 wt% Comperlan KD and either 0.1 wt% Alfoterra145-5PO or 145-8PO provided an ultralow interfacial tension with the palm kernel oil (0.0197 and 0.0359 mN/m, respectively). By using those two aqueous surfactant systems for palm kernel oil extraction, the extraction efficiency was 93.99 and 94.13% at the optimum crushed kernel size between 0.212 and 0.425 mm, using 1 g seed load to 10 ml of solution and 30 min of contact time. The extracted oil quality was evaluated for water content, fatty acids composition and surfactant partitioning into oil phase. The results showed that the quality of the oil obtained using the surfactant microemulsion-based technique is of similar or better quality than when extracted by hexane solvent.     

Effects of High Water Table and Short-Term Flooding on Growth,Yield, and Seed Quality of Sunflower

Abstract

Sunflower, a major edible oil crop producing a high-quality and healthful oil for human consumption and also recycled for use as feedstock to produce biodiesel fuel, is recently being cultivated in rotation with rice in the paddy field. The oil of cultivars with a high oleic acid content has higher oxidation stability and better nutritional properties than the standard cultivars, which have a high linoleic acid content. In this study, we evaluated the effects of excess water on plant growth, seed yield, and oil quality. Seed yield, the major yield components, the oleic acid content and the total oil content were negatively affected by a shallow water table. In particular, waterlogging at the establishment stage decreased the growth and seed yield severely. In addition, waterlogging during the flowering and maturation stages tended to decrease the oleic acid content and to increase the linoleic acid content. These results will be useful for improving management practices to increase the seed yield and improve the oil quality of sunflower in rotation with upland paddy rice.     

Trichoderma harzianum seed treatment controls Fusarium verticillioides colonization and fumonisin contamination in maize under field conditions

In northern Italy, the most frequently occurring class of mycotoxins in maize are fumonisins, mainly those produced by Fusarium verticillioides. Currently, good agricultural practices (GAPs) represent the best line of defense for controlling the contamination of maize by Fusarium-toxins. Annual fluctuations in weather conditions can strongly reduce the advantages conferred by GAPs, and thus integration with biological control strategies can be a sustainable way to achieve reliable control of Fusarium colonization and toxin contamination. Trichoderma harzianum is a good biocontrol agent against a wide range of plant pathogens, and previous studies have reported its ability to reduce F. verticillioides colonization under greenhouse conditions. Field trials were conducted in two locations to assess the effect of seed treatment with T. harzianum strain T22 on F. verticillioides kernel colonization and on fumonisin contamination under various natural conditions. An average reduction of 58% in fungal infestation and 53% in mycotoxin contamination was observed during our three-year experiments. This research suggests that seed biopriming with T. harzianum T22 can be a promising and environmentally friendly way to control F. verticillioides kernel colonization and fumonisin accumulation.     

Large applications of fertilizer N at planting affects seed protein and oil concentration and yield in the Early Soybean Production System

An inverse relationship between soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed protein and oil concentration is well documented in the literature. A negative correlation between protein and yield is also often reported. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of high rates of N applied at planting on seed protein and oil. Nitrogen was surface-applied at soybean emergence at rates of 290 kg ha⁻¹ in 2002, 310 kg ha⁻¹ in 2003, and 360 kg ha⁻¹ in 2004. Eight cultivars ranging from Maturity Group II–IV were evaluated under the Early Soybean Production System (ESPS). However, not all cultivars were evaluated in all 3 years. Glyphosate herbicide was used in all 3 years and a non-glyphosate herbicide treatment was applied in 2002. Cultivars grown in 2003 were also evaluated under an application of 21.3 kg ha⁻¹ of Mn. All cultivar, herbicide, and Mn treatments were evaluated in irrigated and non-irrigated environments with fertilizer N (PlusN treatment) or without fertilizer N (ZeroN treatment). When analyzed over all management practices (years, cultivars, herbicide, and Mn treatments), the PlusN treatment resulted in a significant decrease in protein concentration (2.7 and 1.9%), an increase in oil concentration (2.2 and 2.7%), and a decrease in the protein/oil ratio (4.7 and 4.6%) for the irrigated and non-irrigated environments, respectively. However, the overall protein and oil yield increased with the application of fertilizer N at planting (protein: 5.0% irrigated, 12.7% non-irrigated and oil: 9.9% irrigated and 18.9% non-irrigated). These increases were due to the increase in seed yield with the application of large amounts of fertilizer at planting. Additionally, a significant correlation (r = 0.45, P = 0.0001) was found between seed protein concentration and seed yield. No significant correlation was found between seed oil concentration and seed yield. The data demonstrate the inverse relationship between protein and oil and indicate that large amounts of N applied at planting do not change this relationship.     

Oil productivity and composition of sunflower as a function of hybrid and planting date

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a potential cash crop for the southeastern United States for production of cooking oil or biodiesel. Two years (2006 and 2007) of experiments were conducted at each of five locations in Mississippi to evaluate the effect of planting date (April 20, May 20, and June 20), and hybrid (DKF3875, DKF2990, DKF3510, DKF3901, PR63M80, PR62A91, PR63A21, PR63M91, and PR64H41) on seed yield, oil content, and oil composition of sunflower. Seed oil concentration varied from 25 to 47%. The oleic acid concentration in the oil was greater than 85% for DKF3510 and PR64H41, above 65% for PR63M80 and PR63M91, and intermediate for the other hybrids. Total saturated fatty acids (TSFA) concentration in the oil (the sum of palmitic, stearic, arachidic, behenic, and lignoceric acids) ranged from 6.3 to 13.0%, with DKF3510, PR63M91, and PR64H41 having lower concentration of TSFA than the other hybrids. Mean seed yields ranged from 997 to 2096 kg ha⁻¹ depending on location. Mean oil yields at the five locations ranged from 380 to 687 kg ha⁻¹, and calculated biodiesel production ranged from 304 to 550 kg ha⁻¹. Seed and oil yields in this study suggest sunflower in Mississippi should be planted by the last week of May. Later planting (20 June) may significantly decrease both seed and oil yields in the non-irrigated system in Mississippi and in other areas of the southeastern United States with similar environmental conditions.     

Wild annual Helianthus anomalus and H. deserticola for improving oil content and quality in sunflower

Within the past decade, the desire for alternative sources of fuels, chemicals, and other industrial materials has received increased attention. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) oil has the potential to be improved for nutritional and industrial purposes through selection and breeding. The narrow genetic base of cultivated sunflower has been broadened by the infusion of genes from wild species, resulting in a continuous improvement in agronomic traits. The genus Helianthus is comprised of 51 species and 19 subspecies with 14 annual and 37 perennial species. Interest in using wild species in breeding programs has increased, but concerns about the introduction of low oil concentration and quality from the wild species persist. Two annual desert species, Helianthus anomalus Blake and H. deserticola Heiser, are excellent candidates for increasing oil concentration and enhancing quality based on their adaptation to desert environments. The objective of this study was to collect achenes of H. anomalus and H. deserticola from the desert southwest USA and assess their potential for improving oil concentration and quality in cultivated sunflower. The sunflower collection took place from 16 to 23 September 2000 and covered a distance of 4100 km in three states: Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. The only H. deserticola population collected had an average oil concentration of 330 g/kg, whereas the two populations of H. anomalus had an oil concentration of 430 and 460 g/kg, the highest concentration recorded in any wild sunflower species. The linoleic fatty acid concentration in the oil of H. anomalus populations was uncharacteristically high for a desert environment, approaching 700 g/kg. A linoleic acid concentration of 540 g/kg in H. deserticola was more typical for a desert environment. H. anomalus has the largest achenes and the highest oil concentration of any wild sunflower species, and the same chromosome number (n = 17) as cultivated sunflower. These features will facilitate the introduction of genes from this wild annual progenitor into cultivated sunflower. The lower saturated fatty acid profile in this species is also a desirable trait offering the potential to reduce saturated fatty acids in cultivated sunflower. Further research will be needed to determine the inheritance of the fatty acids and oil concentration. Other agronomic traits will need to be maintained during the introgression of these traits into cultivated sunflower oil.     

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and profile characteristics of seed oil from Isatis indigotica Fort

In order to further exploit the by-products of Isatis indigotica Fort., the seed oil was studied for its extraction and physicochemical properties. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was used, and the parameters affecting seed oil recovery were optimized through response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions were as follows: solvent-to-sample, 24:1; particle size, 110 meshes; extraction temperature, 49 °C; and extraction time, 44 min. Which resulted in a maximum oil recovery of 81.20 ± 0.21% (n = 3). Furthermore, the effects of UAE on the yield, fatty acid compositions, physicochemical properties, and microstructure of the seed powder were also investigated by calculating the recovery rate, utilizing a gas chromatograph fitted with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS), and performing scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results show that UAE was an effective method for the seed oil extraction and the high content of unsaturated fatty acids (93.81%) demonstrates the oil has potential benefits for the cosmetics, edible products, or pharmaceutical industries.     

Nutritional evaluation,fatty acid analysis and anticancer properties investigation of seeds from kan-zaw,a potential diet oil and medicinal plant

Payenapara lleloneura Kurz. (Kan-zaw), an endemic medicinal plant only found in Tanintharyi Region of Myanmar, is widely used in the treatment of various cancer and different ailments. In the present research, the seeds were phytochemical investigated for their nutritional potential for their use as functional foods or novel diet oil resources. Nutritional evaluation showed that the seeds are rich in fats and carbohydrates (soluble sugars and starch). Fatty acid analyses showed that the seeds accumulate very rich α-eleostearic acid (α-ESA, 18:3^{Δ9cis,11trans,13trans}), an important conjugated fatty acid, up to more than 70 ​% of total fatty acids. The seed oil derived from the Kan-zaw tree contains approximately 3.25 ​% β-eleostearic acid (18:3^{Δ9trans,11trans,13trans}), an unusual conjugated fatty acid that imparts a potent anticancer application and industrially important drying qualities to Kan-zaw oil. Physicochemical properties of the Kan-zaw seeds were examined; petroleum ether (60–90 ​°C) extract of seed oils were also investigated for the saponification value, iodine value and estimation of acid value. Further, the present study investigated cytotoxic potential of ethanol, methanol, acetone, chloroform Kan-zaw seed extracts and commercial Kan-zaw oil against human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). The Kan-zaw extracts and oil have shown significant anticancer activity on HeLa cells.