CHED 776 |
| Centaurea americana, a wildflower native throughout the central US, produces numerous thin-shelled seeds, which are rich in oil. GC-MS fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis of 50/50 chloroform/MeOH extracts from bulk samples of commercial seeds revealed that the major fatty acids were linoleic (50-55%) and oleic (30-35%), with lower amounts of palmitic (9-10%), stearic (3%), and traces of arachic and linolenic acids. Hexane extraction yielded approximately 16%(w/w) of oil (triacylglycerides). Subsequent 50/50 chloroform/MeOH extraction yielded another 10%(w/w) of viscous lipids. Seeds collected from isolated wild populations were analyzed using a single-seed screening method, revealing variations in oil composition due to either genetic diversity or environmental differences. The fatty acid profile of Centaurea oil is very similar to soybean oil suggesting that Centaurea could provide an excellent alternative for production of biodiesel fuel. Other components and uses will be discussed. (Funded by NSF-EPSCoR OK Educational Outreach Program EPS-0132534 and NIGMS-SCORE 5S06-GM008003.) |
|
Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Biochemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |