Extraction and characterization of seed oil waxes by using chromatographic techniques

Background: The chemical composition of the crude waxes extracted from three different seed oils (sunflower, canola, and cottonseed) was studied using chromatographic techniques. Results: Greater amount of wax (0.45% ± 0.13%) was found in the crude oil of sunflower followed by cottonseed (0.07% ± 0.01%), and then canola (0.03% ± 0.01%). Wax ester and fatty hydrocarbon fractions were separated by thin layer chromatography. Fatty hydrocarbon fraction was analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to confirm the presence of C19-C35 fatty hydrocarbons. Wax ester fraction indicated distribution of esters from C34 to C54, while C42-C48 fraction was found to be predominant. For constituents of fatty acid, methyl esters and fatty alcohol acetates were carried out by GC-MS after the saponification and derivatization of wax esters. GC-MS analysis indicated the presence of saturated methyl esters from Cl4-C30, whereas C24 methyl ester was found to be predominant. The alcohol portion contained saturated chain lengths between C14-C30; the main component was saturated C22 and C24 alcohol. Conclusions: GC-MS was used for the characterization of the various classes of three different seed oil waxes. The results indicated that seed oil wax has the potential to be used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry due to its better composition of long chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols.