Characterization and structure elucidation of 12-hydroxyoctadec-cis-9-enoic acid in Jatropha gossypifolia and Hevea brasiliensis seed oils: a rich source of hydroxy fatty acid.

The seed oils containing hydroxy fatty acids are being used in various industries such as, in the production of nylon-11, in the manufacture of multi-purpose greases, as good anti-rust, new additives in water-soluble cutting fluids, and antimicrobial activity of various derivatives of ricinoleic acid polymers. Jatropha gossypifolia and Hevea brasiliensis seed oils were found to contain 18.5% and 18.0% of 12-hydroxyoctadec-cis-9-enoic acid (ricinoleic acid), respectively. The identification and characterization was based on UV, FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, MS, GC analysis and chemical degradations.