Acetylenic acids from fats of Santalaceae and Olacaceae: Seed and root oils of Exocarpus cupressiformis Labill

Abstract

Octadec-trans-11-en-9-ynoic acid (ximenynic acid) forms over 60 per cent, of the acids present as glycerides in the seed fat of Exocarpus cupressiformis Labill. The roots of this tree contain an oil which is mainly a fat with octadec-trans-13-en-9,11-diynoic acid forming 89 per cent. of the fatty acids. These two acids are also major components respectively of the seed and root fats of the related species E. stricta R.Br. The root fat of Ximenia americana Linn. is rich in acetylenic acids.