Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #76801
Title: BIODEGRADATION OF ESTOLIDES

Author
item Erhan, Selim
item KLEIMAN, ROBERT - USDA-ARS-NCAUR-(RETIRED)

Submitted to: Oilseed Processing and Utilization World Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Mono and poly estolides made from oleic acid, meadowfoam oil fatty acids, and erucic acid were subjected to biodegradation with either microorganisms, commonly found in soil or in aqueous systems. Estolide biodegradation in soil was determined by mixed cultures of Penicillium verucosum, Mucor racemosus, and Enterobacter aerogenes. Fermentations were econtinued for 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 days. Meadowfoam oil and its fatty acids, oleic acid and soybean oil, were also biodegraded under the same conditions. After 10 days, oleic acid and soybean oil were degraded 99.8% and 99.2%, respectively; meadowfoam oil and its fatty acids were degraded 89.0% and 97.7%, respectively. After 30 days, oleic acid-derived poly and monoestolides were degraded 98.6% and 90.0%, respectively; meadowfoam estolides were degraded 75.7%, and erucic acid estolides were degraded 84.0%. Biodegradation of estolides in aqueous systems was determined by the CEC-L-33-A-94 test method. Estolides were subjected to microorganisms obtained from a water purification plant. Fermentations were continued for 21 days. Meadowfoam oil fatty acid estolides degraded 71.0%, erucic acid estolides, 74.5%; oleic acid monoestolides and polyestolides degraded 88.1% and 94.0%, respectively.