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AIR2-CT93-1817
Vegetable Oils with Specific Fatty Acids (VOSFA) Agricultural and Industrial Development of Novel Oilseed Crops |
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Contract No | AIR2-CT93-1817 |
| Total Cost | 2 572 349 | |
| EC Contribution | 1 286 174 | |
| Start Date | 01/01/1994 | |
| Duration | 48 months |
SUMMARY
This project is investigating five species of novel plants capable of producing vegetable seed oils which have unusual specific fatty acids present in the feed oils: Dimorphoteca pluvialis and Lesquerella spp which contain hydroxy fatty acids; Euphorbia lagascae which contains epoxy fatty acids; Calendula officinalic, which contains fatty acids with conjugated double bonds; and Lunaria annua which contains long chain fatty acids. The fatty acids produced by these plants are of interest as synthetic intermediates for the chemical industry. The work has been divided into three section: primary production, processing and industrial applications. The objectives are to evaluate these plants and select the most promising for industrial use; to improve genetic stocks and cultivation practices; to optimise oil-recovery techniques and characterise by-products for animal feed; to evaluate and test the unusual oils for a range of industrial applications (oleochemistry, lubricants and coatings); to initiate an infrastructure for the commercialisation of selected novel oilseed crops.
OBJECTIVE
A wide range of novel oilseed crops have been tested in Europe and the USA. The unusual specific fatty acids present in the seed oils have worldwide attracted interest of oleochemical industries and final users of vegetable oils. After consulting the industries, VOSFA selected five species producing fatty acids with specific functionalities: Dimorphoteca pluvialis and Lesquerella spp. (hydroxy fatty acids) Euphorbia lagascae (epoxy fatty acids) Calendula officinalis (conjugated double bounds) Lunaria annua (Long chain fatty acids)
The crops are suitable for cultivation under European climatical conditions and it is estimated that 200.000 HA can be commercialized in the future. To achieve the objectives of VOSFA the proposal includes 11 high competent partners necessary to conduct R&D in the total production chain. The R&D is divided over three areas of the production chain and can be summarized as follows:
Primary production (5 partners including agricultural cooperatives):
Emphasis on the breeding of D. pluvialis and initial breeding on Lesquerella spp., evaluation and optimization of cultivation practices of L. annua, E. lagascae, C. officinalis and Lesquerella spp. Commercial seed production will take place on farmers level (demonstration).
Processing (3 partners):
Oil extraction, both on laboratory and pilot plant scale, in order to obtain oils and by-products for respectively industrial application and evaluation of the meal for animal feed.
Industrial application (3 partners):
The vegetable oils will be processed, modified and tested for a range of environmental friendly products. Applications included in VOSFA are oleochemical products, coatings, lubricants and a range of additives for mentioned products.
VOSFA is a multidisciplinary R&D programme including five EC countries and a substantial input of private enterprises. The expected outcome is manifold and spreads over the entire production chain, it can result in the reduction of imports of vegetable oils and meal in the EC. The project is market orientated and has economic, technical, environmental and social impacts.
Contacts
Coordinator
EC Scientific Officer
Participant
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