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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #409327
Research Project: Versatile Biobased Products with Multiple Functions

Location: Bio-oils Research

Title: Industrial applications of high oleic pennycress oil and its derivatives

Author
item Winfield, Demichael

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2023
Publication Date: 10/12/2023
Citation: Winfield, D.D. 2023. Industrial applications of high oleic pennycress oil and its derivatives [abstract]. Bradley University, Chemistry and Biochemistry Departmental Seminar, October 12, 2023, Peoria, IL.

Interpretive Summary: Field pennycress is a cover crop that can be grown and harvested in-between corn and soybean seasons. The use of this cover crop helps maintain and improve soil properties, and could also provide additional value for farmers if it has economic value. In this work, we investigated the properties of the seed oil from a new variety of field pennycress, named high oleic pennycress. Additionally, the high oleic pennycress oil was derivatized for applications as a biodiesel and base oil lubricant. This new variety and its derrivatives show promise for a variety of industrial applications.

Technical Abstract: Field pennycress has been adapted as an off-season cover crop for the midwestern United States. It is a non-food crop that can be grown and harvested in-between corn and soybean seasons. High oleic pennycress (HOP) has been developed from field pennycress with the intention of producing pennycress oil with more desirable properties for industrial applications. In this seminar, the physiochemical properties of HOP oil, HOP biodiesel, and HOP derived estolides are described. As expected, the oil was predominantly composed of oleic acid (62.7%) and had a low saturated fatty acid content (4%). The cold flow properties of HOP oil were superb, with a cloud point of -24 °C and a pour point of -35 °C. Additional properties including antioxidant content, viscosity, oxidative stability, and lubricity were analyzed. Compared to field pennycress oil, HOP oil had better cold flow properties, but lower oxidative stability and antioxidant content. Thus, HOP oil has advantages in low temperature applications, while field pennycress oil is more suitable for high temperature applications. Biodiesel and estolide-based lubricants also showed desirable properties for their respective applications. Structure property relationships of the oils are discussed.