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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #82325
Title: LAB-SCALE PROCESSING OF EUPHORBIA LAGASCAE SEED AND OIL

Author
item CARLSON, KENNETH - RETIRED ARS
item Isbell, Terry
item Abbott Dr, Thomas
item KLEIMAN, ROBERT - INTL FLORA TECHNOL LTD

Submitted to: Industrial Crops and Products International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Euphorbia lagascae (50% oil, ca. 60% vernolic acid) and Vernonia galamensis (40% oil, ca. 80% vernolic acid) are two rich sources of naturally epoxidized seed oils. Because of different natural origins and physiological and agronomic characteristics, the two species are complementary as domestic sources of epoxy oils for coatings and polymer applications. E. lagascae seed from Oregon State University was prepress/solvent extracted and the oil refined at POS Pilot Plant facilities in Saskatoon, SK, Canada. Ten kg of seeds were moisture (ca. 10%) and temperature (ca. 96 C) conditioned as needed prior to hot pressing using a Komet Single Spindle Press with a throughput capacity of 8-15 kg/h. A ring heater on the press head provided nearly constant (74-76 C) thermal control on the pressing operation. Two die orifices (5 and 8 mm) and three screw speeds (motor rheostat settings of 6, 8 or 10) provided pressing rates of 3.0 to 4.7 kg/h and residual oils in the extrudate of 8.7% (5mm die, spd 6) to 18.8% (8mm die, spd 10). Crude oil yield overall from the experiments was 42%. Double pressing (5mm die, spd 8) resulted in press cake with 6.3% residual oil. Combined press cakes were extracted to give defatted meal with 0.21% residual oil, 43.7% protein and 13.0% crude fiber. Crude oil was water degummed and four bleaching experiments were conducted using various combinations of bleaching agents: TrisylR, B80 standard clay, and Darco 60 charcoal. A combination of all three agents provided the lightest oil (13Y,2.3R). No loss in oxirane content (3.09) occurred during processing, vernolic acid content of the refined oil was 60.0%.