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Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T01:27:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-01-01 Soybean (Glycine max) meal is an important protein source. Soybean meal with lower phytate and oligosaccharides improves meal quality. A single recessive mutation in soybean myo-inositol 1-phosphate synthase (Gm-lpa-TW75-1) confers a seed phenotype with low phytate and increased inorganic phosphate. The mutant was crossed with high oil lines expressing a diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 (DGAT) gene from Vernonia galamensis (VgD). Gm-lpa-TW75-1 X VgD, designated GV, has 21%, and 22% oil and 41% and 43% protein from field and greenhouse seed production, respectively. No significant differences were found in mineral concentrations except for Fe which was 229 μg/g dry mass for GV followed by 174.3 for VgD and 162 for Gm-lpa-TW75-1. Phosphate (Pi) is higher in Gm-lpa-TW75-1 as expected at 5 mg/g, followed by GV at 1.6 mg/g whereas Jack, VgD, and Taiwan75 have about 0.3 mg/g. The Gm-lpa-TW75-1 line has the lowest phytate concentration at 1.4 mg/g followed by GV with 1.8 mg/g compared to Taiwan75, VgD, and Jack with 2.5 mg/g. This work describes a high oil and protein soybean line, GV, with increased Pi and lower phytate which will increase the nutritional value for human and animal feed. Department of Biology College of Science for Women University of Baghdad, Karrada, Al-Jadriya, 10071 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences University of Kentucky, Plant Science Building, 1405 Veterans Drive Department of Animal and Food Sciences University of Kentucky USDA-ARS SPIERU-CGAHR UNESP Campus Jaboticabal State of Sao Paulo 295 9 de julho street Conchal Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Germplasm Resources Institute of Crop Science Zhejiang University UNESP Campus Jaboticabal State of Sao Paulo 295 9 de julho street Conchal

[EN] Vernonia galamensis is a native weed of Ethiopia containing high concentration of naturally epoxidized oil (glyceryl trivernolate) in its seeds, which could be used as a potential substitute for currently used epoxy oils. Apart from an epoxy group, vernolic acid contains a double bond that could be further epoxidized yielding a low viscosity, high oxirane, non-edible oil. Epoxidized vegetable oils are usually produced at industrial scale mainly by the peracid process. Soluble mineral acids are essential for this process but these acidic components lead to several drawbacks. Our study deals with a solvent free epoxidation of vernonia oil using heterogeneous catalysts. Ordered mesoporous materials are good candidates as catalysts for epoxidation reactions of large molecules such as vernonia oil (MW =926 g/mol). The aim of this work is to obtain titanium containing SBA-15 catalysts with tunable pore size and convenient particle morphology to avoid diffusion problems. Titanium was incorporated in SBA-15 catalysts by co-condensation as well as grafting methods in order to compare their catalytic performance. Ti-SBA-15 materials with hexagonal symmetry, surface area between 368 and 888 m/g, high pore volume (0.75-1.41 cm/g) and average pore diameter ranging from 7.2 to 14.3 nm have been successfully synthesized. The long fibers commonly observed in SBA-15 could be avoided obtaining small crystals with plate morphology having the channels running along the short axis of the crystal. DR UV-vis and ICP-OES studies revealed that Ti has been successfully incorporated as isolated Ti(IV) species in SBA-15 while maintaining good textural properties. Ti was also incorporated in hydrophobic PMO supports by co-condensation and grafting for comparative purposes. Epoxidation of vernonia oil was carried out using anhydrous TBHP as an oxidant without any organic solvent at 70 °C. Titanium-grafted, large-pore size SBA-15 (TiCgESBAL) yielded 71% conversion with more than 80% selectivity, while short-channel Ti-SBA-15 and Ti-PMO showed the highest selectivity towards epoxide., Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (formerly the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness), Project MAT2016-77496-R (AEI/FEDER, UE), and CSIC, Project iCOOP+2016 COOPA20136, and the School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, for supplying scCO2-extracted VO. We thank Chemistry Department, Addis Ababa University, and BETAQUIMICA for their support. YA also acknowledges Assosa University for financial support

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the major component of plant storage lipids. Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) catalyzes the final step of the Kennedy pathway, and responsible for plant oil accumulation. We previously found DGAT activity of Vernonia galamensis DGAT1 was distinctively higher than that of Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 and soybean DGAT1 in a yeast microsome assay. In this study, the DGAT1 cDNAs of Arabidopsis, Vernonia, soybean, and castor were introduced into Arabidopsis (ecotype Col-0). All Vernonia DGAT1 expressing lines showed a significantly higher oil content (average 49% relative increase compared to the wild type) followed by soybean, and castor. Most Arabidopsis DGAT1 over-expressing lines did not show a significant increase. In addition to these four DGAT1s, sunflower, Jatropha and sesame DGAT1 genes were introduced into the TAG biosynthesis defective yeast mutant (H1246). In the yeast expression culture, DGAT1s from Arabidopsis, castor, and soybean only slightly increased TAG content, however, DGAT1s from Vernonia, sunflower, Jatropha, and sesame remarkably increased TAG content more than 10 times higher than the former three DGAT1s. Three amino acid residues were characteristically common in the latter four DGAT1s. Using soybean DGAT1, these amino acid substitutions by site-directed mutagenesis was performed and analyzed. These substitutions substantially increased the TAG content.HighlightDGAT1s from several plant species were tested their TAG accumulation promotion in Arabidopsis and yeast. They were divided into high and low function and single amino acid substitution enhanced function

Background Vernonia (Vernonia galamensis) is a potential novel industrial crop due to high demand to its natural epoxidised oil, which can be used for the manufacturing of polyvinyl chloride, adhesives, and petrochemicals, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. This study is initiated for the systematic and intensive assessment of V. galamensis accessions genetic diversity through SSR molecular markers to minimize the existing research gaps, and provide a clue for germplasm conservation and further research. Results A total of 150 V. galamensis accessions were analyzed using 20 SSR markers. The markers detected a total of 79 with an average of 3.9 alleles per locus. The mean number of effective alleles was 3.06 and, the mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.15 across all the 20 markers evaluated. The marker also showed the highest percent of polymorphism that ranged from 0.50 to 0.96 with an average of 0.76. The analysis of molecular variance showed only 11% variation was among populations, 22% among individuals within populations and 67% within individuals. The largest number of migrants per generation was occurred between Derashie and Wollo (Nm=7.37) whereas the lowest values was between East Harerghe and West Harerghe (Nm =1.42). A factor analysis including dendrogram clusters and principal coordinates classified the 150 accessions into 4 groups. However, the Bayesian model based clustering (STRUCTURE) grouped into 3 (K = 3) major gene pools. These analyses showed accessions collected from the same region of origin did not often grouped entirely together within a given major groups. Conclusions Molecular genetic diversity analysis, using SSR markers was the first report in V. galamensis. All the markers used were polymorphic in the population studied. The markers detected the larger number of alleles, higher expected heterozygosity than observed heterozygosity. The markers applied to ten populations, in which East Showa and West Harerghe revealed higher genetic diversity, and can be considered as the hotspots for in-situ conservation of V. galamensis. In addition, the values of SSR markers such as heterozygosity, Shannon‘s index, polymorphic information content and population clusters are an important baseline information for future V. galamensis cultivation, breeding and genetic resource conservation endeavors in Ethiopia.

Vernonia [Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less.] (Asterales: Asteraceae) was examined as a potential trap crop for the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L., Malvales: Malvaceae) arthropod complex. Four rows of vernonia were embedded within a 96-row cotton field. The abundance of true bug pests, true bug predators, and spiders were determined by whole-plant and sweep net sampling procedures during the early, middle, and late phases of the cotton-growing season. The census data showed that the arthropods had a strong preference for the vernonia trap crop throughout the cotton-growing season. The movement of the arthropods from the trap crop into cotton was also measured using the protein immunomarking technique as a mark–capture procedure. The arthropods inhabiting the vernonia trap crop were marked directly in the field with a broadcast spray application of egg albumin (protein) during each phase of the study. In turn, the captured specimens were examined for the presence of the mark by an egg albumin-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Very few marked specimens were captured beyond the vernonia trap crop 1, 3, and 6 d after each marking event. The arthropods’ strong attraction and fidelity to vernonia indicate that it could serve as a trap crop for cotton pests and a refuge for natural enemies.

The physicochemical changes of refined vernonia oil?RVO (which naturally contains epoxidized triglycerides) upon heating was evaluated and is reported in this manuscript. A boiling point range of 183 °C to 190 °C (at 760 mm Hg) for the vernonia oil was obtained using the Siwolobboff's method. The oil changed its physical appearance and consistency in the course of the heating. A homogenous free?flowing beige?sand shade refined vernonia oil at room temperature (25 °C) was transformed irreversibly to an intense?brown shade, becoming increasingly more viscous with increase in temperature, and ceasing to flow momentarily at 188 °C. On cooling to room temperature, the oil solidified into a brown rubber?like elastic material. The oil also exhibited a reduction in its oxirane content from 1.39±0.004 equivalent HBr kg?l at 25 °C to 0.542±0.002 equivalent HBr kg?l at 70 °C. This signifies a 61% drop in oxirane content for the 45 °C temperature rise. These findings point towards a thermally driven polymerization and/or decomposition of the refined vernonia oil (RVO). (Received May 20, 2000, revised December 13, 2000) Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2000, 14(2), 161-168

The aim of this study was to test the antibacterial property of the extract of the leaves and isolated compounds of Vernonia galamensis that is traditionally claimed to have diverse medicinal use. The disk diffusion method was used to test the successively extracted dried leaves of V. galamensis on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Shigella boydii. Further fractionation of the acetone extract by a combination of column chromatography, gel filtration using Sephadex LH-20 and Prep-TLC afforded two compounds. The results showed that Vernonia Acetone Extract (VAE) of the leaves of V. galamensis showed weak to moderate antibacterial growth inhibition on the test bacteria. Two active compounds; C-I (vernolide) and C-II (vernonioside) were isolated that were not reported from V. galamensis before. C-I (0.6 mg/disc) showed antibacterial activity on all bacteria except E. coli with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 2.5 mg/mL and C-II (0.48 mg/disk) showed growth inhibition only against S. boydii and S. typhi with MIC value of 1 mg/mL. In conclusion, V. galamensis leaves have been proved to possess antibacterial chemicals. The plant can possibly be exploited as a source of lead compounds for antibacterial drug development. Key words: Antibacterial, Vernonia galamensis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Shigella boydii, vernolide, vernonioside.

Substituted long-chain fatty acids may be useful dietary supplements to suppress ruminal biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and thereby increase the flow of UFA to meat and milk. The aim of this study was to determine if Vernonia galamensis (ironweed, a member of the sunflower family) and vernolic acid (cis-12,13-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenoic acid), the main constituent of the seed oil, affected the biohydrogenation of linoleic acid (LA; cis-9,cis-12-18:2) to rumenic acid (CLA; cis-9, trans-11-18:2), vaccenic acid (VA; trans-11-18:1) and stearic acid (SA; 18:0) by ruminal microorganisms. Ruminal digesta from four sheep receiving a mixed hay-concentrate diet were incubated in vitro with LA (0.2 g/L) ± 0.2 g/L vernolic acid or 5 g/L of dried flowers or leaves of V. galamensis, either alone or combined. Vernolic acid had a substantial effect on LA metabolism, causing decreases in cis-9, trans-11 CLA and VA accumulation as well as SA production (P

The field experiment was carried out at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center 07°03’19’’ to 07°04’00’’ N latitude and 38°30’08’’ to 38°31’02’ E longitude during 2015/16 dry season. The experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Seven soil moisture depletion levels (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 100% of the total available water of the soil) were used. The result indicated that different soil moisture depletion levels had very highly significant (p

Vernonia oil is obtained by extraction from Vernonia galamensis seeds. It is a triglyceride containing 70–80 % vernolic acid (12,13-epoxy-9-decenoic acid). With approximately three epoxy groups per molecule, vernonia oil is a good raw material for new product development and many derivatives have been reported. In this work we report for the first time direct polymerization of vernonia oil through cationic means. The reaction entails the use of fluorosulfonic acid as a catalyst and 25–35 °C. Depending on the level of acid catalyst used, the products can range from a viscous oil to a completely insoluble resin. These products have been characterized by NMR and FT-IR. The polymer may perhaps find applications as a thickener in lubricants and oil-based commercial formulations.

Developing new soybean (Glycine max) varieties with greater amounts of oil and protein enhances soybean as a renewable source of food and fuel. Soybean expressing highly active ACYL-COA: Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) from Vernonia galamensis had oil increased by 4% with no protein reduction. To assess other seed composition changes, seeds of two independent transgenic (VgD) soybean lines and controls were obtained from two field locations in multiple years. Many analyses addressed what seed component(s) was/were reduced to compensate for the oil increase, including carbohydrate analysis (structural and nonstructural), NDF (Neutral detergent fiber), main minerals and proximate analyses. In Princeton, oil increased by 4% for the high oil lines in 2016 and 2017, with no significant reduction in protein, this was slightly different in Spindletop with an increase in oil by 1.6–1.7 %, and an increase in protein by 2.6–2.4 % in comparison to the control, as an average for both high oil lines in 2016 and 2017. Soluble carbohydrate was reduced in VgD by 1.2 % in Princeton location for the high oil lines in 2016 and 2017, whereas only VgD1-2 was significantly reduced in Spindletop in comparison to Jack on 2016 with 2%, Oil in the VgD seeds was greater than in control seeds without a decrease in seed protein in both locations, suggesting that the trait was maintained across environments.

Increasing the production of plant oils such as soybean oil as a renewable resource for food and fuel is valuable. Successful breeding for higher oil levels in soybean, however, usually results in reduced protein, a second valuable seed component. This study shows that by manipulating a highly active acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) the hydrocarbon flux to oil in oilseeds can be increased without reducing the protein component. Compared to other plant DGATs, a DGAT from Vernonia galamensis (VgDGAT1A) produces much higher oil synthesis and accumulation activity in yeast, insect cells, and soybean. Soybean lines expressing VgDGAT1A show a 4% increase in oil content without reductions in seed protein contents or yield per unit land area. Incorporation of this trait into 50% of soybeans worldwide could result in an increase of 850 million kg oil/year without new land use or inputs and be worth ∼U.S.$1 billion/year at 2012 production and market prices.

Camelina ( Camelina sativa ), guayule ( Parthenium argentatum ), lesquerella ( Physaria fendleri ), and vernonia ( Centrapalus pauciflorus [formerly Vernonia galamensis ]) are either under limited commercial production or being developed for production in the southwestern USA. Insect pests are a potential economic threat to all these new crops, with Lygus hesperus , the western tarnished plant bug, among the most prominent due to its regional abundance and propensity to feed on reproductive plant tissue. The objectives of this study were to establish baseline data on the feeding behavior and potential impact of L. hesperus on camelina, guayule, lesquerella and vernonia. Behavioral observations of adult females and males, and nymphs of this insect were made in the laboratory. Insects spent ≈35% of their time either probing (=tasting) or feeding on various reproductive and vegetative tissues of guayule, lesquerella or vernonia, but only 20% on camelina. When insects did probe and feed they preferred reproductive tissues, primarily flowers and siliques/achenes, and there were differences in these behaviors relative to crop but not generally to insect stage or sex. Insects probed and fed more on flower tissue of guayule and vernonia compared with camelina and lesquerella, and more on siliques of lesquerella compared with achenes of vernonia. When probing and feeding on vegetative tissue, there was generally a preference for stems compared with leaves in all crops except guayule. Results show that L. hesperus will readily feed on the economically important tissues of all crops, and although research has shown that this feeding did not consistently affect lesquerella yield, further work will be needed to determine if such feeding poses a risk to commercial production of camelina, guayule or vernonia.

The Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less [synonym: Centrapalus pauciflorus] Compositae, is a source of naturally epoxidized oil. Its commercial use is limited due to presence of a lipase enzyme that produces high free fatty acid levels in vernonia oil. The genomic information and the gene expression patterns of lipase in vernonia has not been studied in detail. The objectives of our studies were to construct a complementary DNA (cDNA) library from vernonia seed to identify expressed sequence tags (ESTs) related to various plant functions. We were successful in constructing a cDNA library from seed tissues of vernonia. A total of 1325 cDNA clones were randomly sequenced and analyzed. A total of 97 high-quality ESTs with an average length of 400 bp were generated. These ESTs indicated the existence of genes involved in varied functions such as defense, protein processing, transcription, translation, signal transduction, and secondary metabolism. Out of the total EST sequences, there were 129 ESTs containing simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from which 63 SSR primer pairs were designed. It is the first transcriptome report from the vernonia that has generated ESTs as well as EST derived SSR markers capable of being used in future oil quality, transformation and germplasm characterization studies.

Vernonia (Vernonia galamensis variety ethiopica) is a potentially novel renewable source of natural epoxy oil. The objective of this study was to determine the genotype by environment interaction and to identify superior and stable genotypes of vernonia with high seed and oil yield. Field experiments were conducted during 2006, 2007 and 2008 at two localities namely, Gabaza and Syferkuil. Ten selected genotypes of vernonia were evaluated for seed yield, oil content and oil yield using the randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant interactions (P ≤ 0.05) were detected among genotype by location for seed yield, oil content, oil yield and genotype by year for seed and oil yield. Genotype Vge-18 had the highest seed yield ranging between 3095 and 3337 kg/ha followed by Vge-17 yielding 3006–3137 kg/ha at Gabaza. These genotypes were also the best performers at Syferkuil where Vge-17 yielded 2915–3217 kg/ha followed by Vge-18 with 2819–3152 kg/ha. The superiority statistics allocated Vge-17 and Vge-18 as best yielding and stable genotypes. In both locations Vge-4 had increased seed oil contents at 43% (Gabaza) and 35% (Syferkuil). Other promising genotypes with high seed oil content were Vge-33 at Gabaza (40–43%) and Vge-3 at Syferkuil (34–35%). Genotypes with the highest oil yields were found to be Vge-18 (1117–1370 kg/ha) at Gabaza and Vge-4 with yields of 885–922 kg/ha at Syferkuil. Overall, Vge-17 and Vge-18 were identified as having the highest seed yield, while Vge-4 and Vge-3 yielded the highest seed oil content with average stability. These genotypes could be used for direct large scale production or strategic breeding of vernonia in these or similar environments.

Vernonia galamensis is a new potential industrial oilseed crop found in tropical Africa. It is the source of a naturally epoxidized oil called vernonia oil (VO) which is extracted from the seed of the plant. In this study VO was used as the starting material for the synthesis of a mixture of amines, with the major product amine being N,N-dimethyl-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl amine. VO was transesterified via a base catalyzed methanolysis using sodium methoxide to yield VO methyl esters (VOME). Aminolysis of the VOME with dimethylamine as reagent and solvent under reflux conditions afforded the tertiary amides, with N,N- dimethyl-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl amide as the major product. The mixture was then subjected to metal hydride reduction with lithium aluminum hydride in diethylether under reflux conditions to obtain the desired amine mixture including N,N-dimethyl-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl amine. Electron impact mass spectrometry was used to characterize the mixture of amines. Additionally, proton NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR were used for characterization of N,N-dimethyl-(12S,13R)-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenyl amine. To further confirm the conversion of VO to the amines, the quaternary ammonium salts were synthesized and characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The magnitude of relationships among different traits is important in plant breeding programs to identify the best selection criteria and improve the efficiency of selection. This study was conducted to determine relationships between seed yield and seed oil content with other important agronomic traits among 36 diverse accessions of Vernonia ( Vernonia galamensis variety ethiopica ), a potentially novel industrial oilseed crop. Field evaluations were conducted during 2005, 2006 and 2007 at the Limpopo Province in South Africa using a partially balanced lattice design. Simple correlation and path analysis were performed to identify the best selection criteria for increased seed yield and seed oil content. Simple correlation and path analyses revealed that the formation of productive primary heads strongly associated with increased seed yield ( r g = 0.81, p p r g = 0.4). The path analysis, however, exposed seed yield followed by 1000 seed weight with significant direct effect on seed oil content. The study demonstrated that selection for increased number of productive primary heads is the principal selection criterion to improve seed yield. Whereas selection for 1000 seed weight and increased seed yield serve as major selection criteria to achieve increased oil content in V . galemanesis .

Vernonia galamensis is a new potential industrial oil seed crop for semiarid areas with very high content of naturally epoxidized vernolic acid (80% of the oil). Chemical investigation of the seeds of Vernonia galamensis afforded two compounds, which are vernolic acid derivatives. Their structures were established by various spectroscopic techniques: IR, UV, NMR, and 2D NMR spectra (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), and by comparison with literature data for the known compound methylvernolate. The cis-(12S,13R)-(3-methylpentyl) vernolate (1) and the cis-(12S,13R)-(2,3-propanediol) vernolate (2) were isolated and characterized.

Seeds of Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less. contain a high proportion of vernolic acid that is highly desirable for industrial use and emphasises the potential of this species for commercialisation. For successful commercialisation, seed quality during storage must be maintained and regularly assessed, which can be rapidly achieved by using biochemical markers of seed viability. In V. galamensis , three potential viability markers electrolyte leakage (as a measure of membrane integrity) and the antioxidants tocopherol and glutathione were investigated in highly viable, aged and dead seeds at 6% and 12% moisture content (MC). Both electrolyte leakage and tocopherol were not correlated with seed viability whereas the glutathione half-cell reduction potential ( E GSSG/2GSH ) correlated strongly with viability loss during seed ageing at both MCs. However, an increase in E GSSG/2GSH associated with viability loss was delayed in the drier seeds (6% MC), highlighting that the performance of this seed viability marker could be decreased in seeds which lose viability in, or close to, the glassy state.

To increase oil accumulation in the high-biomass vegetative organs of tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants for renewable production of biofuels, VgDGAT1a isolated from developing seeds of Vernonia galamensis L. was ectopically overexpressed in tobacco leaves using a constitutive promoter. The transgenic tobacco leaves showed a 3.5–5.0-fold increase in oil content compared to the control, with a maximum increase of 9.2% (DW). The transgenic leaves also showed a substantial change in fatty acid composition, with significant enhancement of linoleic acid (18 : 2) and notable reduction of -linolenic acid (18 : 3). The overexpression of VgDGAT1a exhibited no deleterious effect on other phenotypes in the tobacco plant. These results will facilitate development of a novel system for lipid metabolic engineering in vegetative organs of plants, as well as provide a platform for the production of biofuels using the vegetative organs of commercial non-food crops.

Detailed germination studies were conducted on seeds of two subspecies of Vernonia. galamensis (nairobiensis and afromontana var. gibbosa), a potential industrial oil crop. Plants of both subspecies were grown at two experimental sites in Kenya and sequential harvesting carried out during seed development to determine the best production environment and optimum harvest time for low-dormant, high-quality seed-lots. Seeds harvested at different maturity levels were germinated under different temperature regimes before and after desiccation. The studies revealed that the onset of germinability and desiccation tolerance was achieved during the dry matter accumulation phase of seed development and that seeds developed dormancy 3 to 6 d after acquiring germinability, with high levels of germination only reaching under an alternating temperature regime. The seeds of the subsp. nairobiensis were shown to be more dormant than those of the subsp. afromontana var. gibbosa. Similarly, seeds harvested from a warmer en...

Throughout the ages, fats, oils and their chemical derivatives have been used in a variety of medical applications, but currently they are becoming important as components in drug delivery systems. Liposomes (vesicles from phospholipids) are among the lipid-based delivery systems that have been most extensively studied. However, targeting of liposomes to specific tissues is still problematic, and attempts to overcome these limitations include developments in nano-sized monolayer vesicles made of bolaamphiphiles (compounds containing two hydrophilic headgroups at each end of an alkyl chain). This paper describes bolaamphiphile synthesis and characterization of the nano-sized vesicles formed from the bolaamphiphiles with potential application for targeted drug delivery to the brain. The starting material for the synthesis is vernonia oil (or its fatty acids or methyl esters), which is a naturally epoxidized triacyl-glycerol obtained from the seeds of Vernonia galamensis. The targeting mechanism is based on the hydrolysis of the amphiphile's headgroup by an enzyme abundant in the target tissue, with subsequent release of the encapsulated drug at the target site. Preliminary experiments in mice demonstrated that the marker FITC-dextran, which normally does not penetrate the blood brain barrier, is delivered into the brain when encapsulated in these vesicles.

Plants from the genus Vernonia produce a variety of flavonoids and bitter sesquiterpene lactones important for agriculture and human health. Leaf glandular trichomes of Vernonia galamensis ssp. galamensis var. ethiopica Gilbert (VGAE) were investigated for ultrastructural development and content composition because sesquiterpene lactones that impart a bitter taste to the leaves have been associated with the presence of these glands. Trichome ultrastructure was examined using LM, SEM, and TEM. Glands were removed from the leaf surface, and the chemical composition of gland contents was determined using HPLC and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Immature and mature 10‐celled peltate biseriate glandular trichomes were present only at the abaxial side of the leaf. A large subcuticular space (head) developed from the most distal cell pair of the mature trichome and gradually filled with an osmiophillic substance. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the peltate trichome is a major source of prevernocistif...

Vernonia (Vernonia galamensis) is an industrial oil seed crop with potential as a source of natu- ral epoxy fatty acids. Diverse accessions of V. galamensis var. ethiopica were studied at the Limpopo Province in South Africa to determine agronomic performance and to identify suitable germplasm with quantity and quality seed oil content. Thirty-six accessions were subjected to fi eld evaluations using a partially balanced lattice design in 2005 and 2006. Signifi cant differences were observed for days to fl ower- ing (88-143 d), plant height (131.6-167.85 cm), number of productive primary head (23-72 head plant −1 ), number of productive secondary head (12-35 head plant −1 ), thousand seed weight (1.68-3.63 g), and seed yield (1594.89- 3126.09 kg ha −1 ) between different accessions. Results from oil analysis show signifi cant differences in the contents of seed oil (20.36-35.86%), ver- nolic acid (70.15-77.92%), linoleic acid (12.05- 14.73%), oleic acid (3.72-5.52%), palmitic acid (2.49-3.24%), and stearic acid (1.73-3.28%). Of the fi ve accessions identifi ed as potentially useful, three (Vge-17, Vge-18, and Vge-19) had better seed yield and agronomic performances and two (Vge-4 and Vge-31) increased contents of seed oil and vernolic acid. Accessions Vge- 4 and Vge-18 also displayed relatively high oil yield, 966.58 and 801.28 kg ha −1 , respectively. The accessions will be used in the stra tegic improvement of vernonia to maximize seed yield and oil content as an alternative crop in the province and similar environments.

Examined in this study is a potential application of Vernonia galamensis lipase (acetone powder) in enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of seed oils, most especially of those containing reactive functionalities which are easily affected under drastic hydrolytic and methylating/transesterification conditions during fatty acid analysis. Eight seed oils from V. galamensis, Ximenia kaffra, castor, corn, soyabean, palm kernel, sunflower and olive were hydrolyzed by lipase (acetone powder) followed by methylation using diazomethane in ethyl ether. Results obtained showed that the lipolytic hydrolysis of triglycerides by V. galamensis lipase (acetone powder) was probably nonspecific and did not result in isomerization and as such hydrolyzed the triglycerides of the seed oil in a fashion that the resulting fatty acids were unaltered during hydrolysis. The fatty acids obtained were representative of the parent seed oils. Values reported for the various seed oils were similar to those of previous studies.

Vernonia galamensis is a new potential industrial crop with very high content of vernolic acid in the seed oil. The species is known to naturally grow as a weed in fields or in woodlands under a wide range of agroecological conditions of Africa. In order to study the existing variability in Ethiopia, germplasm collection was carried out. Vernonia grows wild in various ecosystems. Ten regions were explored from North, South, East, Southeast, Southwest and Central Ethiopia. A diverse range of habitats having different altitudes and ecological conditions was explored. Altitude of collecting sites varied between 1250 and 2050 m, and soil pH from 5.1 to 8.5. The most common soil type was sandy loam, and the organic matter content varied from 0.2% to 12.9%. At 80 sites, about 480 accessions were collected including different maturity time, plant type, flower color, and branching patterns as well as fatty acid composition. The mean vernolic acid content of the seed oil of the accessions was 74%, and ranged from 34% to 87%. A wide variability in composition of other fatty acids was observed. It was not possible to find Vernonia in some locations that were earlier indicated by herbarium specimens collected since 1840. This could be a sign of change in land use system and environmental degradation and, hence, loss of genetic resources of the species.

Vernonia galamensis is a new potential industrial oilseed crop with origin in East Africa. The seed oil has unique chemical and physical properties, that will permit its use in the formulation of reactive diluents, products to serve as solvents that become part of the dry paint surface and do not evaporate to pollute the air. A collection of 41 accessions was evaluated for seed and leaf fatty acid composition. In the seed, vernolic acid (C18:10) varied from 54 to 74%, and linoleic acid (C18:2) from 3 to 32%. In the leaf linolenic acid (C18:3) varied from 41 to 59%, palmitic (C16:0) from 12 to 22% and C18:4 from 8 to 17%. Correlation analysis between the seed fatty acids showed that vernolic acid is negatively correlated with C16:0, C18:0, C18:2, C18:3. In the leaf, negative correlations between C18:3 and the other leaf fatty acids were observed. C18:2 and C18:3 showed negative and positive correlations, respectively between the leaves and the seed. In general, there is a wide range of fatty acid composition specially vernolic and linolenic acids in the seed and in the leaf, respectively which might indicate the potential for oil quality improvement of V. galamensis .

Vernonia galamensis is a wild plant from the family Asteraceae which is endemic to East Africa and has the potential to become a new oil crop for industrial uses. Its seed oil is rich in vernolic acid, a fatty acid of high interest for oleochemical applications. However, a breeding program for Vernonia galamensis cultivars with high seed and oil yields requires knowledge about the genetic variability of traits that influence seed and oil production. This study was undertaken to examine phenotypic and genotypic variability, broad-sense heritability, genetic advance under selection and interrelationships of agronomic and seed quality traits. A total of 122 Vernonia accessions, 115 collected from different regions of Ethiopia and seven introduced, were grown at two locations in Ethiopia (Alemaya and Babile), in 2001/2002 and were analyzed for 20 traits including phenology, yield, yield components, and seed quality with special emphasis on fatty acid composition. The collections exhibited significant variation for all traits except for days to emergence. Genotypes and locations interacted significantly (P≤ 0.01) for all traits. Broad-sense heritability estimates ranged from 11% (for days to emergence) up to 79% (for days to maturity). Expected genetic advance was between 1.3% (for days to emergence) and 44.8% (for seed oil yield). Genetic correlation analysis revealed that seed yield per plant is highly and positively correlated with seed weight and head number; highly significant and negative correlations (r = −0.59, −0.82, −0.85, and −0.89) were found between vernolic acid and palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acid, respectively. Highly significant positive correlations (r = 0.55, 0.44, and 0.36) were observed between vernolic acid and oil content, meal protein content and seed oil yield, respectively. Path-coefficient analysis indicated seed weight and secondary head number to be the most important components of seed yield per plant. Vernolic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid had positive direct effects and stearic acid had a negative direct effect on oil content. The direct positive effect of oleic acid on oil content was, however, compensated by the negative indirect effects of stearic and vernolic acid resulting in a negative correlation (r = −0.60) between oleic acid and oil content. These observations will support the selection of accessions with high seed and oil yield, high meal protein contents, and high vernolic acid content.

Vernonia galamensis is a potential new industrial oilseed crop from the Asteraceae family. The interest in this species is due to the presence of a high vernolic acid content of its seed oil, which is useful in the oleochemical industry for paints and coatings. The development of a rapid, precise, robust, nondestructive, and economical method to evaluate quality components is of major interest to growers, processors, and breeders. NIR reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is routinely used for the prediction of quality traits in many crops. This study was conducted to establish a rapid analytical method for determining the quality of intact seeds of V. galamensis. A total of 114 Vernonia accessions were scanned to determine seed weight, FA composition, oil, and protein contents using NIRS. Conventional chemical analysis for FA composition, total oil, and protein contents were performed by GC, Soxhlet extraction, and the Dumas combustion method, respectively. Calibration equations were developed and tested through cross-validation. The coefficient of determination in cross-validation for FA ranged from 0.47 (linoleic acid) to 0.55 (vernolic acid), and for oil, protein, and seed weight from 0.71 (oil) to 0.86 (seed protein). It was concluded that NIRS calibration equations developed for seed weight and seed quality traits can be satisfactorily used as early screening methods in V. galamensis breeding programs.

Acrylate and methacrylate monomers were obtained by reacting vernonia oil, a naturally epoxidized oil, with acrylic or methacrylic acid. The highest conversion (85–98%) of epoxy groups was obtained when the reaction was performed with an excess of the carboxylic acid at 100–120°C. The acrylate and methacrylate monomers of vernonia oil were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy. These monomers were then cured by sunlight in the presence of benzophenone to produce transparent films. In addition, interpenetrating polymer neworks (IPNs) were prepared in a two-step technique from the sunlight-cured methacrylate of vernonia oil, as the elastomeric component, in combination with a cured epoxy resin (a bisphenol A–type resin). Dynamic mechanical analysis showed good compatibility between the networks of the two cured polymers. An IPN with a 1 : 1 composition of the two polymer components exhibited the properties of a reinforced elastomer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3835–3843, 2004

Compatibility between a hydrophilic nanoclay reinforcement and organophilic polymer matrix resin is achieved by ion exchange reaction substitution of intra gallery mono- or divalent cation with foreign aliphatic long-chain cation. The exchange of long-chain cation increases the organophilicity of the clay layers and provides sufficient layer separation for polymer chains to impregnate into the formation of a nanocomposite. This study demonstrates the synthesis of hydroxy functional longchain amine hydrochloride from Vernonia galamensis oil (VO). Vernonia galamensis oil, containing a naturally epoxidized long-chain TG, was transesterified under basic conditions to yield VO methyl esters (VOMe). The VOMe were reduced using lithium aluminum hydride (LAH) in hexane to obtain cis-12,13-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenol (vernanol) as the primary product. Vernanol was then converted to vernanyl mesylate, followed by reaction with potassium cyanide to obtain cis-13,14-epoxy-cis-10-nonadecenitrile (C19 nitrile). The C19 nitrile was reduced with LAH in diethyl ether medium and later reacted with hydrochloric acid to obtain the title product. 1H and 13C NMR, FTIR, and matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) techniques were used to characterize the intermediates and the title product.

Mycoflora associated with Vernonia galamensis var. ethiopica was studied for the first time under field and laboratory conditions in eastern Ethiopia. In field plantings, Erysiphe and Puccinia spp. were the only mycoflora recorded. Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp. and Pythium sp. were found on stored seeds. Fusarium sp., Rhizoctonia solani, Alternaria sp. and Phoma sp. were identified on both field plants and stored seeds. Damping-off of seedlings caused by complexes of R. solani and Fusarium sp. and powdery mildews caused by Erysiphe sp. led to high disease pressure on field-planted vernonia. The dominant species causing seed infection under storage were R. solani and Cladosporium sp. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd

Ironweed (Vernonia galamensis) is a promising new crop for industrial oil but information on its response to fertiliser is scanty. A field experiment was conducted at the University of Nairobi Field Station farm during 2 seasons (January to May 1998, season 1 and March to August 1998, season 2) to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertiliser rates on growth, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception and seed yield of 2 Vernonia galamensis cultivars (ethiopica and gibbosa). N was applied at 0, 75 and 150 kg N/ha, and P at 0, 45 and 90 kg P2O5/ha. The experiment was a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. N and P application significantly increased total dry matter (TDM), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception and leaf area index (LAI) of both varieties in late vegetative and reproductive stages. Gibbosa had consistently higher TDM, LAI, PAR and was taller compared to ethiopica throughout the growin...

Ethiopia is the centre of origin and diversity of Vernonia galamensis, which is a new potential industrial oilseed crop. Seeds of Vernonia are rich in vernolic acid, a naturally epoxidized fatty acid with unique chemical (epoxy) and physical (low viscosity) properties. Vernolic acid is a useful raw material for manufacturing paints and coatings. No effort has been made so far in Ethiopia or elsewhere to improve this plant. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in three contrasting agroclimatic zones (Alemaya, Harar and Babile) using eight accessions to assess the genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic (PCV) coefficients of variation, to estimate broad sense heritability (h2B) and genetic advance (GA) as a per cent of the mean for 17 pheno-morphic and agronomic traits.Considering GCV, h2B and GA (as per cent of the mean) simultaneously as the best estimators of the amount of advance expected from selection, secondary head number (28·90, 0·90 and 56·60), secondary branch number (13·90, 0·67 and 51·97), and seed number per head (15·97, 0·72 and 27·92) gave the highest values at Alemaya, Harar and Babile, respectively. This shows that a satisfactory selection program for improvement of these characters is possible in V. galamensis var. ethiopica at each specific location.

Vernonia oil, a naturally occurring epoxy functional triglyceride oil, was used as a solvent/reactive diluent in styrene–acrylate copolymerizations. The copolymerizations were initiated by free radicals and proceeded to high conversions in reasonable lengths of time. The copolymer solutions were light yellow–green in color and had moderate viscosities. Films were made by drawing the copolymer solutions over metal panels. The films were cured by adding a thermally labile cationic initiator known to catalyze oxirane–oxirane polymerization. The films obtained had good solvent resistances as evidenced by the number of methyl ethyl ketone double rubs required to mar and break-through the films. The cross-linking reaction was evaluated using mechanical property, DSC and extraction data.

Seed oils of a number of Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae species are enriched in 12-epoxyoctadeca-cis-9-enoic acid (vernolic acid), an unusual 18-carbon Δ12-epoxy fatty acid with potential industrial value. It has been previously demonstrated that the epoxy group of vernolic acid is synthesized by the activity of a Δ12-oleic acid desaturase-like enzyme in seeds of the Asteraceae Crepis palaestina and Vernonia galamensis. In contrast, results from metabolic studies have suggested the involvement of a cytochrome P450 enzyme in vernolic acid synthesis in seeds of the Euphorbiaceae species Euphorbia lagascae. To clarify the biosynthetic origin of vernolic acid in E. lagascae seed, an expressed sequence tag analysis was conducted. Among 1,006 randomly sequenced cDNAs from developingE. lagascae seeds, two identical expressed sequence tags were identified that encode a cytochrome P450 enzyme classified as CYP726A1. Consistent with the seed-specific occurrence of vernolic acid in E. lagascae, mRNA corresponding to theCYP726A1 gene was abundant in developing seeds, but was not detected in leaves. In addition, expression of the E. lagascae CYP726A1 cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was accompanied by production of vernolic acid in cultures supplied with linoleic acid and an epoxy fatty acid tentatively identified as 12-epoxyoctadeca-9,15-dienoic acid (12-epoxy-18:2Δ9,15) in cultures supplied with α-linolenic acid. Consistent with this, expression of CYP726A1 in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) callus or somatic soybean (Glycine max) embryos resulted in the accumulation of vernolic acid and 12-epoxy-18:2Δ9,15. Overall, these results conclusively demonstrate that Asteraceae species and the Euphorbiaceae E. lagascae have evolved structurally unrelated enzymes to generate the Δ12-epoxy group of vernolic acid.

Since the oil crisis of the 1970s much attempt has been made, albeit with varying degrees of success, to source the ideal substrate and bacteria for the production of PHA. The non-edible, naturally epoxidized seed oil from Vernonia galamensis and mixed cultures consisting of Alcaligenes latus (ATCC 29712), Cupriavidus necator (ATCC 17699), Escherichia coli (DH5α) and Pseudomonas oleovorans (ATCC 29347), were evaluated for PHA production under batch and fed-batch fermentations. PHA production, optimized by the mixed culture of E. coli and C. necator, was 0.4-19% (%wt/wt, cdw) for batch and fed-batch fermentations. Analyses of PHA by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization- Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) identified the 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) monomeric unit. The PHA ester bond stretching vibration (C=O), was confirmed at absorption 1740.66 cm-1, using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) indicated peak molecular weights between 3.8×103-1.12×106 Da with melting points (Tm), 60-90°C. The data further illustrates that inedible oils could be the ideal carbon source for the production of PHA.

Vernonia galamensis is a new potential industrial oilseed crop originated in eastern and southeastern parts of Ethiopia. Its unique properties make it economically and environmentally interesting. No effort has been made so far in Ethiopia to improve this crop. Therefore, an evaluation work for 17 yield and yield component traits was conducted at three contrasting agroclimatic zones. The considered traits showed significant differences at all locations except for the characters days to emergence and days to maturity. The best producing accessions in terms of yields of kg oil/ha (kg/ha of seed multiplied by oil%) for Alemaya were varieties collected at Bedeno, Chirro and Gelemso which produce 1627.45, 1593.46 and 1582.95 kg oil/ha, respectively. Accessions from Chirro (1194.75 kg oil/ha), Bedeno (1187.14 kg oil/ha), and Metta (1157.49 kg oil/ha) were superior at Harar, while Harar Zuria, Metta and Chirro which produce 274.48, 244.33 and 230.74 kg oil/ha, respectively, were superior at Babile. These materials could be used as parent materials to start breeding programs for each specific location. There was a wide range of variation between the minimum and maximum values of most characters. Thus even within the limited germplasm studied, selection for improved characteristics appears to be possible in V. galamensis var. ethiopica.

Vernonia galamensis is an excellent source of a seed oil rich in vernolic acid. However, the seeds of this plant exhibit a high lipase activity in the dormant state. The activity of this enzyme is apparent as vernonia oil will undergo lipolysis when the seeds are crushed prior to extraction. In this study, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) utilizing carbon dioxide has been examined as an alternative solvent, at different pressures, temperatures and cosolvent concentrations. The use of supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) as the extraction fluid under high temperatures and pressures has the potential to inhibit the lipolysis reaction during the extraction by reducing the activity of the enzyme, and hence the production of undesired fatty acids. Vernonia seeds were ground with dry ice prior to extraction to minimize any nascent lipase activity. Selective SFE was conducted at various pressures, temperatures, modifier concentrations, and total CO2 volume used to determine whether the vernolic acid content of the resultant extract could be enriched. An increase in pressure and temperature significantly increased the amount of extracted oil as well as the vernolic acid content. In addition, a significant reduction in the free fatty acid content of the oil from 69 to 8 mg/g oil was present with increasing extraction pressure. Exhaustive extraction of the oil could be attained via SFE with neat CO2 and with ethanol-modified CO2. However, regrinding the matrix after the initial extraction, followed by re-extraction of the seed matrix was necessary in these cases. The resultant oil and extracted meal were characterized with respect to free fatty acid, phospholipid, and percent protein contents.

Vernonia oil, an epoxy functional natural oil, was reacted with substituted monocarboxylic acids with the objective of producing low molecular weight multifunctional esters. Instead, low molecular weight soluble polymers were obtained in good to excellent yields. Reaction occurs through the epoxy groups as shown by spectroscopy and titration. Polymer was produced when the mole ratio of carboxylic acid groups to epoxy groups was 1/3, 2/3, or 3/3.

Epoxidized oils, manufactured by chemical epoxidation of fats and vegetable oils such as soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.], are useful in reformulation of oil based (alkyd-resin) paints to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds that contribute to production of smog. Other potential markets for epoxy fatty acids include plasticizers, additives to polyvinyl chloride, polymer blends and coatings, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications. Currently, no oilseed crop has been commercialized as a source of natural epoxidized oils. However, Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less. has been identified to have potential for domestication as a new industrial oilseed source of natural epoxy fatty acids. The main objective of this research was to evaluate feasibility of vernonia production in mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Specifically, we wanted to evaluate available vernonia germplasm for seed yield, oil content, and oil quality, and to determine suitable production practices. The seed yield (kg/ha) in field experiments conducted from 1994, 1995, and 1996 at Randolph Farm of Virginia State University (37°15′N and 77°30.8′W), with a selected group of vernonia lines, ranged from 490 to 1288, 494 to 1394, and 1070 to 1934, respectively. Oil content ranged from 30.2 to 36.7% and 32.1 to 39.2%, respectively for 1995 and 1996 and the vernolic acid content ranged from 68.9 to 74.7% and 69.1 to 75.6%. A significant positive correlation ( r =0.34) between oil content and vernolic acid content indicated that both these characteristics could be improved simultaneously. The highest seed yield was obtained with 100 kg N/ha. A pre-plant-incorporated application of Trifluralin herbicide at 0.5 kg/ha a.i. did not reduce vernonia stand establishment. Seedhead shattering was observed to be a limitation in the evaluated vernonia germplasm. These results indicate that commercial vernonia production in Virginia and other areas in the mid-Atlantic region of United States may be feasible.

To examine the nutrient and fertilization needs of Vernonia galamensis, a new oilseed crop, experiments were conducted in the greenhouse with V. galamensis subsp. galamensis var. ethiopica, and var. petitiana. In the first experiment, the plants were grown in soil‐less medium, irrigated, and fertilized daily with 7:3:7 Shefer liquid fertilizer at the rate of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 L m−3. Plants in the control group were fertilized every two weeks at a rate 36 times lower than the low treatment. In the second experiment, plants of var. ethiopica were grown under five fertilization regimes with different levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)(7:3:7, 14:3:7, 3.5:3:7, 7:6:7, and 7:1.5:7 N:P:K, respectively), applied at a rate of 1.0 L m−3. In the first experiment, control plants of both varieties suffered severe stress affecting all aspects of growth. The three fertilization treatments elicited a uniform response in var. petitiana while var. ethiopica responded differentially, performing optimally unde...

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) has been used to identify eight triacylglycerols (TAG) in Vernonia galamensis oil (VO). The TAG include trivernolin, divernoloylstearoylglycerol, divernoloyloleoylglycerol, vernoloyllinoleoylstearoylglycerol, vernoloyllinoleoyloleoylglycerol, and vernoloyldilinoleoylglycerol. Samples for the MALDI/TOF/MS analysis were prepared with alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (matrix) in an acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran solvent system. A mol ratio of matrix/VO (44:1) gave reproducible composite spectra, resulting in resolutions greater than 8,000 and signal-to-noise ratios of above 1000 for the most abundant molecular species. 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-stearoylglycerol and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoylglycerol were used as calibration standards.

In vegetable oil, free and esterified sterols are characteristic constituents of the unsaponifiable matter and provide rich information about the oil quality. The sterol pattern of plants discussed as potential new oil seed crops have been determined by using coupled on-line normal phase liquid chromatography-gaschromatography (LC-GC). The content and composition of free sterols as well as the concentration of sterol esters have been analyzed in seed oils of different varieties of crambe (Crambe abyssinica), meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba, L. douglasii(, cape marigold (Dimorphotheca sinuata);, lesquerella (Lesquerella fendleri);, iron weed (Vernonia galamensis, V. petitiana);, spurge (Euphorbia lagascae, E. lathyris);, and various species of cuphea (Cuphea lanceolata, C. lutea, C. paucipetala, C. viscosissima, C. wrightii);. Bestimmung freier und veresterter Sterole in potentiellen neuen Olsaaten mittels gekoppelter Flussigkeitschromatographie-Gaschromatographie.Freie und veresterte Sterole sind charakteristische Bestandteile des Unverseifbaren und liefern wichtige Informationen uber die Qualitat von Pflanzenolen. Das Sterolmuster von Pflanzen, die als potentielle neue Olpflanzen diskutiert werden, wurde mittels gekoppelter Flussigkeitschromatographie-Gaschromatographie (LC-GC) analysiert. Der Gehalt und die Zusammensetzung der freien Sterole sowie die Konzentration der Sterolester wurden in folgenden Pflanzenarten bestimmt: Abessinischer Meerkohl (Crambe abyssinica), Sumpfschnabel (Limnanthes alba), Wiesenschaum (L. douglasii), Kapringelblume (Dimorphotheca sinuata), Blasenschotchen (Lesquerella fendleri), Vernonie (Vernonia galamensis, V. petitiana);, Wolfsmilch (Euphorbia lagascae, E. lathyris); und Kocherblumchen (Cuphea lanceolata, C. lutea, C. paucipetala, C. viscosissima, C. wrightii);.

Saponified vernonia oil was converted exclusively to poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) by Alcaligenes eutrophus in a single-stage batch culture. After harvesting, centrifugation followed by lyophilization, the resulting dried cells contained up to 42.8 wt% PHB having a peak molecular mass of 381 863 Da, weight-average molecular mass of 308 390 Da, and a polydispersity of 1.1. The PHB had a melting point (Tm) range of 163–174°C with a maximum at 172°C (lit. Tm, 175°C), and heat of fusion of 18.43 cal g−1. Fermentation performed under varying conditions of nitrogen limitation indicated that there was no significant effect of nitrogen concentration on the molecular mass of PHB produced from vernonia oil by A. eutrophus.

Separation methods using silica gel column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography were employed to prepare pure triacylglycerol fractions of the oil from Vernonia galamensis seeds. Pure vernolic acid (12,13-epoxy-octadec- cis -9-enoic acid) was prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of the chromatographically purified major triacylglycerol, trivernolin, using a commercially available immobilised lipase in a non-polar organic solvent. Analysis of the divernoloyl and monovernoloyl triacylglycerols with porcine pancreatic lipase indicated that vernolic acid is found mainly as the secondary ester in the divernoloyl triacylglycerol but not the monovernoloyl triacylglycerol.

Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less., a plant of semi-arid, equatorial origin, has significant quantities of epoxy fatty acids in its seed oil. This vernolic fatty acid has potential use in alkyd resin and oil-based paints and coatings formulations with low volatile organic compound emission. Improved agronomic practices are needed to commercialize vernonia in the temperate zones. Vernonia must be planted in the spring in temperate latitudes because it is not frost tolerant. Thus, it must compete with aggressive summer annual weeds during its germination and early vegetative growth period. Once established, vernonia is vigorous and can compete against weeds, but weed control is very critical when the vernonia plants are young. To avoid the high cost of hand weeding, identification and registration of appropriate pre- plant incorporated (PPI), pre-emergence (PRE), or early post-emergence (POST) herbicides are necessary. Two years of herbicide studies in the field and greenhouse have identified the reaction of vernonia to PPI, PRE, POST, and layby (LAY) herbicides in terms of tolerance and non-tolerance. Information about non-tolerant herbicides is essential since vernonia, in some cases, may pose a threat as a new crop weed. Based on the conditions of these experiments, herbicide compounds that appear to be excellent candidates for registration include, PPI: trifluralin, benefin, ethalfluralin, and pendimethalin; PRE: pendimethalin, DCPA, metolachlor, napropamide; POST: fluazifop, pronamide, and sethoxydim; LAY: pendimethalin and DCPA. Rates and timing of application are very important for some materials. A potential, but less likely, herbicide includes PRE: propachlor. Materials that have little or no potential as herbicides for vernonia production include the following: PPI: EPTC; PRE: metribuzin, oryzalin, atrazine, and diuron; POST: clopyralid, bromoxynil, dicamba, oxyfluorfen, 2,4-D, and 2,4-DB. In addition to crop tolerance, the usefulness of a given herbicide will also depend on weed species that are competitors at a specific crop location.