CYANOLIPIDS AND FATTY-ACIDS OF SAPINDUS-TRIFOLIATUS L (SAPINDACEAE) SEED OIL

Seed oil composition of Sapindus trifoliatus L., a Sapindaceae tree na tive to India, was investigated. Type II cyanolipids were characterize d by IR, TLC, GC and C-13 NMR. Fatty acid composition was established by GC analysis of the methylesters and by GC-MS of the trimethylsilylo xy adducts. Oleic acid represented by far the major compound (58.2%), but unusual content of arachidic acid (15.9%) was found together with smaller amount of 11-eicosenoic acid (8.6%). Cisvaccenic acid (11-octa decenoic acid) and 13-eicosenoic acid were detected in trace amounts. Comparison with other Sapindus species showed a close relationship wit h S. emarginatus.