The composition and properties of ragweed seed oil

Conclusions

Ragweed seed contains approximately 19 per cent fat and 23 per cent protein. Large quantities of these seed can be readily obtained both from direct harvesting of the ragweed and from the cleaning of some commercial seeds.

The fatty acid distribution in ragweed seed oil is as follows: palmitic acid—5.5 per cent; stearic acid—4.8 per cent; oleic acid—19.9 per cent; linoleic acid—69.8 per cent; linolenic acid—possibly traces. The composition of this oil indicates that it would have slightly better drying properties than soybean oil. The results of preliminary drying and heat-bodying experiments suggest the limited use of ragweed seed oil in paints and varnishes.

No investigation has been made of the edible properties of ragweed seed oil but its relative freedom from linolenic acid indicates its use in the edible field.

Ragweed seed oil contains about 1.2 per cent of a wax mixture which is made up of 55 per cent hydrocarbons, 23 per cent high molecular weight acids, and 22 per cent high molecular weight alcohols. Sterols occur in ragweed seed oil to the extent of 0.48 per cent of the weight of the oil. The unsaponifiable matter also contains high molecular weight hydrocarbons and alcohols. Pure mixed sterols were separated from the accompanying materials by the use of an adsorption process. Bromination of the acetates of the mixed sterols gave evidence for the presence of stigmasterol.