Production of gossypol from cottonseed gums. Preliminary cost study

Summary

Based on operations of a hypothetical gossypol-extraction plant, it is estimated that crude gossypol-acetic acid can be produced at a cost of $2.64 per pound at an annual production of 113,500 lbs.; that pure gossypol-acetic acid can be produced at a cost of $3.80 per pound at an annual production of 100,200 lbs; and that pure gossypol will cost $5.55 per pound at an annual production of 81,000 lbs. By marketing the phosphatides instead of returning them to the gums, the cost of producing pure gossypol will be $3.91 per pound at an annual production of 81,000 lbs. These costs were estimated by assuming that Phase I of the process would be accomplished simultaneously with oil mill-extraction operations, and Phases II and III during remainder of the season.

It is readily apparent that gossypol or gossypol-acetic acid as produced are not inexpensive chemicals and would probably have to be produced for specialized uses, such as pharmaceuticals and the like, where the cost of these chemicals would not be prohibitive. Should product evaluation research now under way establish specific uses for gossypol and its intermediates, a demand for sizeable quantities of these materials might result.