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Calotropis procera as a source of plant hydrocarbons

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Abstract

Calotropis procerawas evaluated as a potential source of hydrocarbons. Hexane Soxhlet extractions of oven-dried whole plants, stems, leaves and pods (≧6mo of age) yielded 4.35, 3.83, 5.13, and 9.37% (w/w) hexane extract (HE), respectively. The HE from whole plants has a density of 0.9299 glcm3, 0.71% total ash, 9973.4 callg and 78.03, 11.22 and 10.71% carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, respectively. Similar values were obtained from stems, leaves and pods when analyzed separately. Methanol Soxhlet extractions of residues previously extracted with hexane yielded 16.14, 18.50, 12.15 and 20.68% (w/w) methanol extract (ME) from whole plants, stems, leaves and pods, respectively. The ME from whole-plant residues had a density of 1.2267 glcm3, 12.05% total ash, 4,647.4 callg, and 40.88, 6.86, and 30.05% carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, respectively. Similar values were obtained from stems, leaves and pods when analyzed separately.

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Erdman, M.D., Erdman, B.A. Calotropis procera as a source of plant hydrocarbons. Econ Bot 35, 467–472 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858597

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