The showy milkweed, Asclepias speciosa: a potential new semi-arid land crop for energy and chemicals

• Published in: Biomass 1984, Vol.4 (2), p.81-104
• Main Authors: Adams, Robert P., Balandrin, Manuel F., Martineau, Jess R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asclepias speciosa; Biological and medical sciences; economics; energy crop; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; milkweed; Use and upgrading of agricultural and food by-products. Biotechnology
• ISSN: 0144-4565; 1878-2523
• DOI: 10.1016/0144-4565(84)90059-3

Research on the chemical composition and domestication trials of Asclepias speciosa, showy milkweed, is presented. Biomass yields were approximately 4.3 tonne/ha (1.9 ton/acre) but increased plant density is expected to raise these yields considerably. The milkweeds were harvested with standard haying equipment and baled as with alfalfa hay. Storage tests in ambient conditions indicated that the non-polar extractables were stable whereas the polar extractables declined approximately 40% after about 2 months and stabilized at that level after five months. Storage in dry conditions resulted in only small losses. The non-polar extracts consist principally of α- and ß-amyrins and their acetate esters. The methanol extracts contain mostly sucrose and inositol. Milkweed extractives are compared to fossil fuels and cracking to liquid fuels is discussed along with various alternative uses for the extracted residue. The use of milkweed as a new crop depends on weed control, increased yields, product development and the development of commercial extraction and purification technology.