Author
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Hou, Ching |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/19/2010 Publication Date: 5/19/2010 Citation: Hou, C.T. 2010. Hydroxyl fatty acids and hydroxyl oils [abstract]. American Oil Chemists' Society. Biol, #2. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Soybean oil is produced domestically in large supply, averaging over 20 billion pounds per year with an annual carryover of more than one billion pounds. It is important to find new uses for this surplus soybean oil. Hydroxyl fatty acids and hydroxyl oils are platform materials for specialty chemicals and oil industries. Recinoleic acid and castor oil are the major plant hydroxyl fatty acids/oil and have higher value than soybean oil. Many years ago we started a research project to convert soybean oil and its component fatty acids to value-added products such as recinoleic acid. We successfully found many microbes that can convert fatty acids to recinoleic acid-type hydroxyl fatty acids. We also discovered many new bioactive or potentially bioactive fatty acids. Soy polyols (hydroxyl triacylglycerols) are important starting materials for the manufacture of polymers such as polyurethane. Currently, there are two chemical processes to produce triacylglyceride polyols, and these involve two energy intensive steps: epoxidation and then opening of oxidane ring. It is important to have a low energy requirement, non polluting bioprocess that can directly convert soybean oil to polyol oils. Following our previous experience, we should be able to find microorganisms that can convert soybean oil directly to soy polyol oils. |
