The Chinese Tallow Tree as a Source of Petroleum Substitutes, Phase I

摘要

Growth habits, production, and seed characteristics of the wild Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb.) were investigated, since seeds from this tree could be a major source of vegetable fats and oils and a substitute for petroleum. The Chinese tallow tree grows well on poorly drained or saline soil. Seeds were selected for future projects; methods of clonal propagation were investigated; management and the ecological impact of large plantings were studied; and the design of a mechanical harvester was discussed. Chemical analysis of seed components indicates that the seeds contain high proportions of two lipid fractions in the seed oil, and a heavy fat or tallow in the seed coating. Both tallow and oil can be substituted for current commercial products, and the rare estolide fraction of the oil may have special uses in the field of synthetic polymers. Possibilities for use of tallow tree seed oil in the protective coatings, artists' supplies, synthetic lubricants, toiletry and cosmetics, and fatty chemicals industries were discussed.