R. Banerji

Chemical composition ofacacia seeds

The seeds of 12 species ofAcacia, although rich in C-18 unsaturated acids (47.9–93.5%), have low oil content (2.5–10.2%). Highest concentration of octadecatrienoic acid was inA. lenticularis (80.3%),A. suma (76.8%) andA. tortilis (71.7%) oils.A. mollissima was rich in octadecadienoic (69.1%) andA. senegal in octadecenoic (42.5%) acids. All the seed oils showed the presence of epoxy 18:1 acid, 0.6–3.8%. The protein content of the processed seed meals ranged from 13.4–37.2%, the highest being inA. senegal. Fiber content varied from 8.8–11.9%.

Variation of major fatty acids in F8 generation of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum × Papaversetigerum) genotypes

The fatty acid compositions in F8 genotypes of a cross between Papaver somniferum×Papaver setigerum were studied. The oil content in both species was quite variable, ie 38·0% in P setigerum and 47·8% in P somniferum, while C18 fatty acids were quite comparable. The F8 genotypes had higher oil contents (>40%) and fatty acid concentrations than the parental species. Linoleic acid ranged between 68% (BRO 54) and 74·4% (BRO 59) and oleic acid varied between 13·6% (BRO 65) and 20·3% (BRO 54). High oleic desaturation ratio (ODR, >0·79) and C18 polyunsaturated fatty acid (>87%) with very low C18: 3 (0·37±0·01) indicate the possibility of using poppy oil for the edible oil industry. Oleic (18:1) acid was not correlated with the other fatty acids, except for significant negative correlation with linoleic (C18: 2) acid.

Butyraceol, a triterpenoidal sapogenin from Madhuca butyracea

Abstract The structure of a new triterpenoidal sapogenin, butyraceol, from the seed saponin of Madhuca butyracea has been elucidated as olean-5,12-dien-2β,3β,23-triol by spectral data and comparison with a synthesized sample.

Cuphea a rich source of medium chain triglycerides: Fatty acid composition and oil diversity in Cuphea procumbens

The phenological characteristics, oil content, and fatty acid composition of 34 selections of Cuphea procumbens have been studied. The mean seed yield per plant was 9.7 ± 0.43 g. Maximum seed yield (16.7 g) was noticed in NBC-27, while the average number of fruits per plant was 124.9 ± 10.7. The oil content in the seeds ranged from 16.7—28.7%, maximum being in NBC-34. The fatty acid composition revealed the presence of capric acid (C10:0) in all the selections of C. procumbens as the major constituent of the oil ranging from 87.7—94.6%. C. procumbens showed its novelty as an alternative source of capric acid and may be utilized as a renewable resource in the production of plasticizers and lubricants which wholly depend on petrochemical import. Researches are in progress in order to obtain tolerant cultivars against wild plant characteristics and some delayed seed shattering plants have been identified.

Identification of 24-methylenelophenol from heartwood of Azadirachta indica

Abstract 24-Methylenelophenol was identified from the heartwood of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica .

Carbofuran residue in water, soil, and trapa fruits, after field application

Carbofuran (2,3-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methyl carbamate) used for insect as well as nematode problem is one of the carbamate pesticide widely used by Trapa growers to control various pests of the crop (Agarwal and Agarwal 1960; Bindra and Saxena, 1964). The relative efficacy of various insecticides on Singhara beetle, Galerucella birmanica has been studied by Pradhan et al (1964). Several studies on their environmental impact have been conducted on various crops (Rajukkannu et al. 1978, 1978; Misra and Agarwal, 1989; Patnaik et al. 1989).

Soulattrone A, A C24 terpenoid from Calophyllum soulattri

Abstract The structure of soulattrone A, a C24 terpenoid isolated from the bark of Calophyllum soulattri, was determined from its spectral properties and from X-ray crystallographic evidence. The complete assignment of the1H and13C spectra of this new skeleton was achieved.

Fatty acid composition of some medicinally useful seeds.

Fatty acid composition of seeds from the fruits of Butea monosperma, Jatropha glandulifera and Portulaca oleracea of three different families, namely Papilionaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Portulaceae were determined through Gas Liquid Chromatography to find novel natural sources of essential fatty acids for human health and of economic interest. Comparative studies were also performed to ascertain the utilization of each species for domestic as well as industrial purpose and the quality parameters developed can be utilized as marker characters for theaforesaid seeds used by the pharmaceutical industries.