The seed oils of the species Clitoria ternatea and Entada phaseoloides have been examined in detail and their fatty acid composition determined. Like other species belonging to the Leguminosae group of families previously examined, they are characterized by the presence of higher saturated fatty acids.The plant Clitoria ternatea (family Papilionaceae) is being introduced into the Gezira area of the Sudan as a fodder crop, and the possibility of using the seeds as a human foodstuff is also under consideration. This species is known commonly as the butterfly bean, or Kordofan pea.Although the root, like jalap, is said1 to be a powerful cathartic, and an infusion of leaves is used for eruptions and also as an antidote to scorpion stings, nothing of a poisonous nature could be detected in the seeds. They were examined for the presence of alkaloids, with negative results, though Folkers & Unna2 have reported the presence of an alkaloid having a curare-like action in the related species C. arborescens. The powdered seeds were fed to monkeys in 5-g. doses which the animals ate voluntarily, and no toxic effects were observed. Particular attention was directed to the possibility of the presence of hydroxyanthraquinones or other purgative principles in view of an earlier report3 claiming purgative properties for these seeds, but no effect of this nature could be observed on the animals nor could any such compound be detected by chemical means. The seeds do, however., like other parts of the plant, contain a blue dye with indicator-like properties which has been referred to before4 and used in chemical analysis, Though this plant is indigenous to the Sudan, the sample analysed was from locally grown stocks originally obtained from the Bureau of Tropical Agriculture, South Johnstone, Queensland, where Clitoria is a constituent of natural grazing. The Australian strain is more vigorous than the local one, and will be used for large-scale cultivation.The plant is a strong-growing bushy creeper with dark-blue flowers, having a deep-rooting habit that enables it to withstand the rigours of a very dry hot climate. It is a perennial and the cattle of the Gezira have found it very palatable and graze it heavily.The plant bears a large number of nitrogen-fixing nodules ; it thus increases the fertility of the soil and is important as a rotational crop as well as for fodder. In addition it is a very effective controller of weeds, for once Clitoria 'is fully established watering may be stopped. The species does not die, but continues to absorb water from the soil and dry out the soil very thoroughly, making conditions unfavourable for the growth of perennial weeds. Clitoria revives very quickly with the early rains and smothers both annual and perennial weeds before they can establish themselves. This crop is particularly suitable for cultivation in the Gezira as it is resistant to many of the common insect pests and diseases.The species Entada phaseoloides is a member of the family Mimosaceae, and occurs in Equatoria Province in the ...
The seed oils of the species Bombax sessile and Lupinus tevmis have been examined in detail and their fatty acid composition determined. The former has a composition closely resembling that of palm oil, while the latter resembles other members of the Papilionaceae in that it contains minor quantities of linolenic acid and also of higher saturated fatty acids. Bombax sessile (Benth.) Bakh.Until recently, this plant was known in the Sudan as Pachira aquatica Aubl, and the species described under this name by E. L. Adriaens in his book ' Les Oleagineux du Congo Belge '
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