ARS | Publication request: NEW INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS FROM OILSEEDS

Submitted to: Oilseed Processing and Utilization World Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: October 24, 1995
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Annually renewable plant resources have provided our needs for food, clothing, energy, medicine and shelter. We can more efficiently utilize oilseed resources if we develop processes with less waste and choose those plants which most efficiently provide for our needs. Less waste means optimizing recoveries in existing processes and developing valuable coproducts in addition to the oil. Jojoba is one example of a plant that produces novel oil with a high consumer demand, but until recently the rest of the jojoba seed components were regarded as almost useless. Processing to recover these components and research to identify new uses have revealed that all of the seed components are valuable and none should be wasted. New crops can be selected to meet many needs currently being met with non-renewable petroleum resources. Examples from NCAUR research include jojoba, lesquerella, crambe, vernonia, Euphorbia lagascae and others. The opportunities for new and better products from new crops have been only slightly explored. The uniqueness of oils, gums and bioactive constituents from new oilseed crops, combined with innovative chemistry, has resulted in new unique products that have not been previously available from any source. Traditional oilseed crops can also be used for environmentally friendly lubricants, cosmetic ingredients and inks.