Plant species evaluated for new crop potential

About 500 plant species from various regions of the United States have been screened previously at the USDA Northern Regional Research Center for their multipurpose, energy-producing potential. Most collections have been from the rich flora of central Illinois. For this report, 92 additional species...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Economic botany 1985-07, Vol.39 (3), p.336-345
Main Author: Carr, M.E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Energy crops
Esters
Hexanes
Hydrocarbons
MISCELLANEOUS CROPS
Molecular weight
New crops
PLANT PRODUCTION
PLANT RESOURCES
Plants
Polyphenols
PRODUCCION VEGETAL
PRODUCTION VEGETALE
RECURSOS VEGETALES
RESSOURCE VEGETALE
Rubber
Shrubs
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:About 500 plant species from various regions of the United States have been screened previously at the USDA Northern Regional Research Center for their multipurpose, energy-producing potential. Most collections have been from the rich flora of central Illinois. For this report, 92 additional species were collected from southern Illinois and evaluated by criteria previously established at this Center. Plant samples were analyzed for "oil," "polyphenol," "hydrocarbon," and protein. Oil fractions of selected species were analyzed for classes of lipid constituents and were saponified to determine yields of unsaponifiable matter and fatty acids. Hydrocarbon fractions of selected species were analyzed for rubber, gutta, and waxes. Average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of rubber and gutta were determined. Of the 92 species, complete analytical data are presented for 16 selected species. Substantial quantities of oil were obtained from Philadelphus coronarius (5.0%; dry, ash-free sample basis), Cacalia muhlenbergii (4.1%), Lindera benzoin (4.1%), and Koelreuteria paniculata (4.0%). High yields of polyphenol were obtained from Acer ginnala (33.1%), Cornus obliqua (20.8%), and Salix caprea (20.0%). Maximum yields of hydrocarbon and protein were from Elymus virginicus (0.6%) and Lindera benzoin (11.1%), respectively. Data are discussed with respect to species previously analyzed at this Center.
ISSN:0013-0001
1874-9364
DOI:10.1007/BF02858804