The oil content of sixAdansonia species (Bombacaceae family) of Madagascar (Adansonia grandidieri, A. za, A. digitata, A. fony, A. madagascariensis andA. suarenzensis) and Africa (A. digitata) ranges from 8 to 46%. All the oils give a positive response to the Halphen test. Malvalic, sterculic and dihydrosterculic acids were detected using gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS). Epoxy or hydroxy fatty acids were not found in these oils. Fatty acid composition was determined by GLC using glass capillary columns coated with BDS and Carbowax 20 M. Results obtained for cyclopropenic fatty acids (CPEFA) were compared to those given by glass capillary GLC after derivatization with silver nitrate in methanol, by hydrogen bromide titration and by proton magnetic resonance (PMR). Good agreement was observed for the results given by the various methods. Malvalic acid content ranges from 3 to 28%, sterculic acid from 1 to 8% and dihydrosterculic acid from 1.5 to 5.1%. Odd-numbered fatty acids (Pentadecanoic and hepatadecanoic) were also observed in minute amounts (0.1-1.1%). Among the normal fatty acids, we observed mainly palmitic (21-46%), oleic (15-40%) and linoleic (12-32%). The relationship between fatty acid composition andAdansonia species is discussed.

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The seeds of the baobab Adansonia suarenzensis (Bombacaceae) contain 46.2% oil used for cooking by the malagasy population. This oil gives a positive Halphen test showing the presence of cyclopropenoic fatty acids (CPEFA). Composition analysis of derivatized fatty acid methyl esters was done by gas‐liquid chromatography (GLC). The A. suarenzensis seed oil contains mainly palmitic (46%) stearic (3.5%) oleic (21%) and linolenic (12%) acids. Effect of heat on CPEFA content of boabab oil was studied at 133°C and 180°C. Major decomposition of CPEFA at 180°C shows that deodorisation would be the main step in the oil refining process. Hydrogenation of the baobab oil using an industrial hydrogenating catalyst results in CPEFA content decreasing rapidly.

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Adansonia grandidieri (bombacaceae family) seed oil gives a positive Halphen test. Composition analysis of derivatized fatty acid methyl esters, in presence of silver nitrate in anhydrous methanol, after chromatography fractionation on silicagel column, were made by gas‐liquid chromatography (GLC) using a packed DEGS column. Presence of malvalic and sterculic acids were detected. GLC analysis using glass capillary columns coated with Carbowax 20 M and BDS shows that A. grandidieri seed oil contains mainly palmitic (41%), oleic (22%) and linoleic (12%) acids. Cyclopropenic fatty acid concentration was 14% with 6% for malvalic and 8% for sterculic acids. A slight proportion of dihydrosterculic acid (1.5%) was observed. GLC fatty acid methyl esters analysis, without derivatization, on the two glass capillary columns coated with Carbowax 20 M and BDS gave the same results for cyclopropenic acids content.