Investigation into the Prospects of Five Novel Oilseed Crops within Europe

Abstract

The economic potential in Europe of five novel oilseed crops for applications within the chemical industry, particularly in paints and lubricants, was investigated within a multidisciplinary integrated research and development project. The entire production chain was subjected to a study. The following five oilseed crops were evaluated: Lunaria annua, Calendula officinalis, Dimorphotheca pluvialis, Lesquerella grandiflora and Euphorbia lagascae. It was concluded that Calendula was nearest to commercialization, and that Calendula oil showed excellent behaviour in several paint formulations. Lunaria and Euphorbia oils showed good lubricating performance, but feasible commercial production of these oils does not seem realistic in the near future.

Comparative analysis of bioactive phenolic compounds composition from 26 medicinal plants

“…The essential oils of pot marigold ( Calendula officinalis L. ) are used as medicines soothing the central nervous system and exhibiting other useful healing properties. The oil is also rich in carotenoids and used as a dye, as a lubricant and for other purposes (Marvin et al, 2000). Sweet clover ( Melissa officinalis L. ) is applied in the production of some beverages and foods (Ehlers et al, 1997).…”

Improvement of germination rate and hybridization to facilitate breeding of an industrial oil crop, Euphorbia lagascae Spreng

“…Wild accessions of E. lagascae grow around cities and along road boundaries when the soil contains high levels of nitrogen [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]. Several studies have revealed the potential of E. lagascae as a novel oilseed crop; however, agronomic improvement is necessary to reduce the seed-shattering phenotype [ 7 ]. In North Dakota, seed yield ranged from 100 to 200 kg.ha −1 , largely owing to capsule shattering and resulting seed losses of up to 400 kg.ha −1 [ 4 ].…”

Essential Oil Composition and Glandular Trichome Structure of the Weather Prophet Dimorphoteca pluvialis

“…In the past decades, non-food oilseed crops have garnered interest for industrial use due to the extracted oils containing compounds with functional groups that make them potential substitutes for the mineral oils used to produce, e.g., lubricants, surfactants, coatings, or polymers, with the added advantage that these can be supplied at a constant and more economical rate. This is the case for D. pluvialis, whose seed oil can be composed of more than 60% of dimorphecolic acid (9-hydroxy-trans, trans-10, 12-octadecadienoic acid), a valuable C 18 fatty acid that contains a C9 hydroxyl group, two conjugated double bonds relative to the α-carbon of the hydroxy group (∆10, ∆12), and a trans-∆12 unsaturation, setting this compound apart from other plant hydroxy fatty acids and granting it the potential for a wide range of new applications [2,3].…”