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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #91014
Title: NEW U.S. COLLECTIONS OF LESQUERELLA AND PHYSARIA AS SOURCES OF HYDROXY FATTY ACIDS

Author
item Dierig, David
item Coffelt, Terry
item THOMPSON, ANSON - USDA-ARS-USWCL
item REBMAN, J - USDA-ARS-USWCL
item SALYWON, A - USDA-ARS-USWCL
item Dahlquist, Gail

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/7/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Lesquerella and Physaria are related genera belonging to the Brassicacea Family. All species possess seed-oil rich in hydroxy fatty acids. These type of acids and their derivatives have many unique industrial applications; e.g., as lubricants, automotive greases, and surface coatings. The present source of these acids is from castor, all of which the United States must import. Gums from the seed coat are also valuable for non-food uses. One species, L. fendleri, is currently being developed as a potential new crop for the U. S. In 1995 and 1996, seeds of native populations were collected in CO, OK, TN, UT, and WY. Species collected had one of three hydroxy fatty acids as the main component of the oil profile. The three hydroxy fatty acies include lesquerolic, densipolic, and auricolic. Other characteristics evaluated were seed oil contents, 1000-seed weights, and seed-coat gum content. Only one of the Physaria species collected was previously in the USDA National Plant Germplasm Collection. Several new additions of Lesquerella also were added.