Development of new crops for industrial raw materials

Abstract

Commercial fats and oils are still used extensively in chemical manufacturing processes, but their fatty acid compositions are limited in variety. An extensive screening program for potential new oilseed crops has led to the discovery of many good sources of new lipid classes and fatty acids. Among them are long‐chain acids (Crambe, Limnanthes, Lunaria), medium‐chain acids (Cuphea, Umbelliferae, Lauraceae), hydroxy acids (Lesquerella), epoxy acids (Vernonia, Stokesia), acids with special unsaturation (conjugated; acetylenic; Δ3, Δ5, Δ6, Δ17 monoenes) and liquid wax esters (Simmondsia). Many of these plant species have received further attention in terms of germplasm collection and evaluation; breeding and agronomic studies; and processing and utilization research on oil and byproduct meal. Some have been developed sufficiently for early commercialization. Recent history has shown this last step to be the most difficult. No satisfactory mechanism has been devised as yet to simplify the process of transferring research information on a developed new crop to reach the ultimate goal of sustained, large‐scale commerical production. Close cooperation between governments and private sector institutions, with some financial support, may be required for the first few years to achieve successful commercialization.

A preliminary study on the introduction and cultivation of Crambe abyssinica in China, an oil plant for industrial uses

“…The results of planting date from October to November indicated that the later it was planted the fewer its primary branches, seeds per plant and 1000 seeds weight were, and the percentage of 212 -224, which its blooming date was around March and harvest date, early May. This differed greatly from the result of 90 -105 days reported previously (Princen, 1984). Whereas when C. abyssinica was planted in Kunming in the early June, it has a life cycle of 100 days but frequently resulted in low yields (Table 1).…”

Corps gras non conventionnels du Bassin du Congo : Caractérisation, biodiversité et qualité

“…Dans ses projets, l'US department of Agriculture a privilégié les huiles nouvelles sources d'acides gras particuliers, potentiellement utilisables par l'industrie (Earle et al, 1959 ;Isbell, 2009 ;Princen et Rothfus , 1984), relativisant ainsi l'importance du screening systématique des années 1950 (Earle et al, 1959). Salas et al (2009) Le traitement le plus original de la question est dû à Dubois et al (2008), avec un classement des sources végé-tales d'acides gras en fonction de leur profil nutritionnel, qui, non seulement considère les quantités des acides gras individuels, mais prend également en compte l'environnement en AG, de ces majeurs, sous forme de profil AG matérialisés par des radar-plots.…”

Screening analysis of unknown seed oils

“…Every plant collection should be moreover documented by a reference specimen. If it is possible, the collection at different places should be considered to recognize eventual genetic variations [29].…”

“…Recently, the interest in fatty acids with unusual structure features and in oils, that can provide a high concentration of a single fatty acid, has increased as they can be of high value for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry [28][29][30][31][32][33]. Global screening programs for the search of new plant oils as renewable sources have been initiated.…”