The Characteristics of the Kapok (Ceiba pentadra, Gaertn.) Seed Oil

The Malaysian Kapok (Ceiba pentadra) seeds were found to contain about 28 per cent oil. The oil from both raw and roasted seeds produced a positive Halphe'Jl test for cyclopropenoid fatty acids. Acid value, fatty acid composition by gas-liquid chromatography, iodine value, refractive index, saponification number, and unsaponifiables of the oil were also determined. The values (area percent) for fatty acids as methyl esters were: Cf4:0 (0.25%), C16:0 (24.31%), C16:1 (0.4%), C18:0 (2.65%), C18:1 (21.88%), C18:2 (38.92%), C20:0 plus C18 :3 (1%), malvalic acid (7.18%), C22:0 (0.44%), and sterculic acid (2.96%). Nlalvalic and sterculic acids were determined as AgNOrCH30H derivatives of their methyl esters. Since the cyclopropenoid fatty acids bring about a number of abnormal physiological effects in experimental animals, it would be extremely unwise to consume these seeds.

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