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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295636
Title: Biobased lubricants and functional products from Cuphea oil

Author
item Cermak, Steven - Steve
item Evangelista, Roque
item Jackson, Michael - Mike
item Compton, David - Dave
item Knothe, Gerhard
item Laszlo, Joseph
item Evans, Kervin

Submitted to: Surfactants in Tribology
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/7/2014
Publication Date: 11/21/2014
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62132
Citation: Cermak, S.C., Evangelista, R.L., Jackson, M.A., Compton, D.L., Knothe, G.H., Laszlo, J.A., Evans, K.O. 2015. Biobased lubricants and functional products from Cuphea oil. In: Biresaw, G., Mittal, K., editors. Surfactants in Tribology. Volume IV. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis. p. 443-482.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cuphea (Lythraceae) is an annual plant that produces a small seed rich in saturated medium-chain triacylglycerols (TAGs). With the need for higher seed yields, oil content, and less seed shattering, Oregon State University began developing promising cuphea crosses. Cuphea PSR23 is a hybrid between Cuphea viscosissima (a species native to the U.S.) and Cuphea lanceolata (a species native to Mexico). One of these new germplasm lines, PSR23, with partial seed retention and high in decanoic acid (C10:0), was developed and has been produced on a limited scale in the Midwest by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture since 2000. Recent seed increases in Cuphea PSR23 have provided sufficient amounts of seed to conduct oil extraction studies and, at the same time, produce much needed oil for product development and applications testing. Some of the applications include cuphea-based estolides as lubricants, cuphea methyl esters as biodiesel, and cosmetic applications, which includes a green source of undecanone, a known insect repellent. Most of the applications explored from cuphea oil and derivatives have properties or advantages that make them equal or superior to their commercial counter products.