Trends in industrial usage for vegetable oils — symposium overview

Abstract

Vegetable oils are firmly established components of many industrial products and contribute a small but important share to the oleochemical and chemical industries‐about 2% of total organic chemicals produced. The oleochemical industry is a mature one with low profit margins and in need of novel products and product applications, the development of which will require both basic and applied research. Several symposium participants identify areas that could add significantly to existing markets for unmodified vegetable oils, such as a diluent or enhancing agent in the application of pesticides and as an energy or heat source. Others show that considerable potential exists for new chemicals and modified vegetable oils and unique chemicals derived therefrom in value‐added products such as coatings, polymers, lubricant additives or food additives, sometimes involving unique oils other than the traditional commodity mix. Without doubt, this is a time for the oleochemicals industry to invest in the future with nontraditional approaches to research and development. The oleochemical industry can and should expand its horizons, but with the realization that vegetable oils will have a lesser role compared to that of other renewable resources, such as wood and agricultural residues.

Physicochemical Properties of Some Underexploited and Nonconventional Oilseeds

“…An important trend in the new investigations on oilseeds is their use as fuels to supplement or substitute the fast depleting fossil resources (Pryde and Carlson, 1985). Among the advantages of vegetable oils as fuels are their potability, heat content, ready availability, and the fact that they are renewable resources (Pryde, 1983).…”

Determination of cholesterol and fatty acid content of commercially sold edible vegetable oils around Dire Dawa, Adama and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…Oil is a very important resource, much in demand everywhere in the world and is used in a variety of ways [1]. Edible vegetable oils are considered a concentrated source of energy for human beings and carriers of oil-soluble vitamins which supply the essential fatty acids that are required for a wide range of biological and physiological functions.…”