HIBISCUS-SABDARIFFA SEED OIL - REINVESTIGATION

Due to controversial reports on the component acids of Hibiscus sabdariffa seed fat and in anticipation of the co‐occurrence of cyclopropene and epoxy acids in the seed oils of Malvaceae (especially in the genus Hibiscus)5,6 it was considered worthwhile to re‐examine the seed oil of H. sabdariffa. Seed oil of H. sabdariffa (Malvaceae) contains myristic (2.1%), palmitic (35.2%), palmitoleic (2.0%), stearic (3.4%), oleic (34.0%), linoleic (14.6%) and three unusual HBr‐reacting fatty acids. These acids are cis‐12,13‐epoxy‐cis‐9‐octadecenoic (12,13‐epoxyoleic), 4.5 %; sterculic, 2.9%; and malvalic, 1.3%. Acetolysis of epoxide in the presence of cyclopropenes was effected by room temperature treatment with acetic acid‐10% sulphuric acid. Seed oils of Vernonia anthelmintica and Sterculia foetida were used as reference standards. Copyright © 1979 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd