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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #86952
Title: EVALUATION OF LESQUERELLA AND PHYSARIA SPECIES AS SOURCES OF THREE HYDROXY FATTY ACIDS

Author
item Dierig, David
item Coffelt, Terry
item Kaiser, Aaron
item Dahlquist, Gail
item ADORNATOR III, JOHN - ARIZONA STATE UNIV

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/28/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Significant quantities of hydroxy fatty acids (HFA), similar to castor oil, are found in all U.S. native species of Lesquerella and Physaria. These oils have potential use in an array of value - added derivatives. Lesquerella fendleri is the target of current domestication efforts by ARS and other institutions for the Arid Southwest. Other species may be better suited for other U.S. production regions. Seeds of 247 accessions of 47 Lesquerella and 37 accessions of 19 Physaria species were collected from natives sites in the U.S. between 1993 and 1996. Some accessions were increased and evaluated in Phoenix this past growing season for agronomic potential. One species of Physaria, although perennial, had productive seed amounts the first year and could potentially be grown in cooler climates than the Arid Southwest. The Primary HFA of this species is lesquerolic acid (C20:1-OH). Other species of Lesquerella appeared suitable for domestication in the midwestern and eastern U.S. These preliminary data indicate that other species could be grown across the U.S. for production of HFA.