INVESTIGATION INTO PENTACLETHRA-MACROPHYLLA SEED OIL - IDENTIFICATION OF HEXACOSANOIC (C26-0) AND OCTACOSANOIC (C28-0) FATTY-ACIDS

Abstract

The fatty acid composition of seed oil from Pentaclethra macrophylla was analysed by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Linoleic acid (56.6%) was the major fatty acid with oleic (16.1%) and lignoceric (10.5%) acids making a significant contribution. Two long-chain fatty acids not commonly found in vegetable oils were identified. These were shown to be hexacosanoic (C26:0) and octacosanoic (C28:0) acids; 4.8% and 1.0% of each acid being present, respectively. The oil content of the seeds was 42.0%.