Family: Compositae
Genus: Vernonia
Species: anthelmintica
galamensis
pauciflora
(i) General background on the plant
Two species of Vernonia have been examined as potential sources of epoxy oils.
V. anthelmintica, an Indian annual plant has up to 40% oil in seed and up to 75% vernolic acid in oil. Unfortunately it is still an under-developed species and has exhibited pod severe shatter and seed loss problems in US trials. For that reason the experimental programme on it was terminated. Lately there has been much more interest in an East African species, V. galamensis. In some literature this species is recorded as V. pauciflora. The two names are synonymous. It is grown as a commercial crop in Zimbabwe. V. galamensis appears to be a short day length, annual plant.
(ii) Details of quality characters
Systematically, vernolic acid is 12,13-epoxy-cis-9-octadecanoic acid. The fatty acid profile of V. galamensis oil as reported by Ayorinde et al (1990) is:
| FATTY ACID | % IN OIL |
| Vernolic | 79-81 |
| Linoleic (C18:2) | 11-12 |
| Oleic (C18:1) | 4-6 |
| Stearic (C18:0) | 2-3 |
| Palmitic (C16:0) | 2-4 |
Oil content of seed is approximately 40% by weight.
(iii) Current production and yields
Vernonia is produced on a limited scale commercially in Zimbabwe, Kenya and Pakistan. Old world species are distributed in India and Africa.
No European data on this crop has been found in the European situation hence there is presumed to be no production.
(iv) Constraints on production
Currently the growing season in northern Europe is too short and plants fail to flower and produce seed before frost. (Senft, 1994)
(v) Markets and market potential
Vernonia species are considered as economic crops because of their potential to produce vernolic acid, an epoxy acid with uses as a dilutent in alkyd-resin paints, in plasticisers, adhesives, synthetic fibres/plastics.
(vi) Other information
Germplasm of Vernonia have been selected that are neutral to day length, and therefore suitable for the development of a temperate industrial crop.
(vii) Contacts
(viii) References
Askew, M. F. (1992). A review of novel oilseeds & fibre crops and their potential for the UK. ADAS Wolverhampton, Woodthorne, Wergs Road Wolverhampton, WV6 8TQ.
Ayorinde, F.O. et al (1990). Vernonia galamensis: a Rich Source of Epoxy Acids. J. Amer Oil Chem. Soc. 67, 844.
Senft, D. 1994. Agricultural Research/September 1994