ARS | Publication request: Development of new crops and products for the U.S.

Submitted to: International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 15, 2010
Publication Date: December 15, 2010
Citation: Cermak, S.C., Isbell, T. 2010. Development of new crops and products for the U.S. [abstract]. International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Meeting. p. 96.

Technical Abstract: New crop development is critical to future sustainability of the United States agriculture system by reducing farmers’ dependence on government subsidies for a select few commodity crops, and by supplementing our need for energy without decreasing food production (food and fuel debate). A series of new crops and off-season new crops are under development for different growing regions within the US, while maintaining the development of industrial products and processes from these agricultural feedstocks. Current new crops under investigation include cuphea, lesquerella, pennycress, camelina, meadowfoam, and coriander for seed quality, agronomic potential and unique oil evaluation. One example where new crops oils have been successfully converted into biodegradable lubricants is called estolides. Estolides are formed when the carboxylic acid functionality of one fatty acid links to the site of unsaturation of another fatty acid to form esters. Estolides currently show promise in many industrial applications. The synthesis of complex and oleic-based estolides will be compared to the cuphea oleic estolides and lesquerella- based estolides. Physical properties (pour and cloud points <-50 deg C, oxidative stabilities and viscosities) of these new crop estolide acids and esters were compared to previously reported estolides, which have current industrial application as potential hydraulic fluids. The oxidative stability of the complex estolides were measured and formulated (~2% additives) to exceed commercially available petroleum-based hydraulic fluids, soy-based fluids, and petroleum and synthetic oils.