Further investigations on leguminosae seed oils

Abstract

Oils extracted with petroleum ether (bp 40-70°C) from the seeds of 15 species of Leguminosae were analysed for unsaponifiable matter, % fatty acids, refractive index, I number and saponification number.Purified fatty acids were examined spectrophotometrically in the 232-308 nm range. DM, total N, ash, and ether extract were determined for the seeds. Palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids were present in all the cases, the last 2 predominating. Conjugated double bonds were found in almost all the oils, whereas small amounts of acids with conjugated triple bonds were present in only a few cases. Of the 15 species studied only 2 had been previously investigated.