Search for new industrial oils. XII. Fifty‐eight euphorbiaceae oils, including one rich in vernolic acid

Abstract

Abstract Seed oil of Euphorbia lagascae Spreng. contains 57% of cis ‐12,13‐epoxy‐ cis ‐9‐octadecenoic (vernolic) acid. The amt of trivernolin in the glycerides of this species indicates random or restricted random distribution of the vernolic acid. Seed from 57 additional species in the Euphorbiaceae were analyzed for oil and protein contents and also for fatty acid composition of the oils. Iodine values (I.V.) of the oils ranged from 87舑221. Among these oils, samples were encountered with as much as 76% linolenic, 77% linoleic or 84% oleic acid.