Author
Holser, Ronald |
Submitted to: American Oil Chemists' Society Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Milkweed oil was investigated as an alternative product for use in industrial and non-edible vegetable oil applications. The oil from Asclepias syriaca and A. speciosa is not currently produced in quantity although the plant is harvested for its fiber. Characterization of the oil and identification of suitable processing conditions may promote its development as a new source. Crude milkweed oil was obtained from seeds with a mechanical press and then treated in laboratory-scale degumming, refining, and bleaching operations. Analyses were performed after each step to estimate the effect of processing conditions on oil quality and composition. A light colored oil was obtained with 2% v/v water degumming and caustic refining followed by bleaching with an activated earth for 30 minutes at 70 C under vacuum. |