BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT98-4460 - The development of Euphorbia lagascae as a new oil crop within the European Community

FAIR-CT98-4460
The development of Euphorbia lagascae as a new oil crop within the European Community

To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
Bulk Chemicals : Crops for Bulk Chemicals : Crops for Paints/Coatings/Plastics : FAIR Area 4.3 - Diversification : Paints/Coatings/Plastics : Vegetable Oil/Fat

	Type of Project	Concerted Action
	Contract No	FAIR-CT98-4460
	Total Cost	208,900 Euros
	EC Contribution	208,900 Euros
	Start Date	04/01/1999
	Duration	18 Months

Objectives

This Concerted Action seeks to collate and evaluate existing information on crop development, production potential, oil composition and quality, oil extraction and industrial applications of the plant Euphorbia lagascae. It will:

assess the suitability of E. lagascae for commercialisation for the benefit of European agriculture and the oleochemical industry
prepare a development programme to overcome current limitations
investigate commercially sustainable applications for the crop

These objectives will be achieved by bringing together leading specialists from industry, research institutes and universities, from 5 EU countries as well as other organisations that have working experience of the crop or related knowledge of oilseed crops in the production, processing and marketing sectors.

Technical Approach

Two workshops will be organised to review current knowledge, summarise the information presented, identify gaps in current understanding and after discussion, propose strategies for future research leading to development. The seed of E. lagascae contains up to 50% oil of which up to 60% is vernolic acid. Potential uses of the oil include the areas of coatings, lubricants and plastics. Vernolic acid, a C:18 epoxy fatty acid, has potential uses as a drying solvent in alkyd resin paints. Paints formulated with vernolic acid would greatly reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) air pollution that occurs with volatilisation of alkyd resins in conventional paints. In the United States, amendments to clean air acts are calling for reductions in VOCs. The development of the species from a wild to a domesticated species is very recent and two EC RT&D projects (SONCA and VOSFA) have included some study of the species. The seed is naturally dehiscence, but progress has been made in developing non-shattering material. Evaluation in northern and southern Europe has confirmed its high oil production potential (yields up to 2.5t/ha) and has highlighted differences in crop agronomy between locations. The crop contains an irritant component, but progress has been made in small-scale oil extraction where steam pretreatment may alleviate possible toxic effects.

Expected Results

This concerted action would bring together research workers from Europe to summarise the current state of knowledge on all stages in the production chain. The results will help develop sound and feasible long-term development strategies for commercialisation of the crop.

Euphorbia lagascae

Contacts

Coordinator

Dave TURLEY / ADAS High Mowthorpe Research Centre UNITED KINGDOM

EC Scientific Officer

Ciarán MANGAN / European Commission - DG Research Quality of Life Programme - Unit B1.2 / BELGIUM

Participant