High oil- and polyphenol-producing species of the northwest

The examination of plant species for their potential as renewable sources of industrial raw materials, conducted at the Northern Regional Research Center, has been extended to include 110 species from North Dakota (ND), Colorado (CO), and Oregon (OR), U.S.A. Plant samples were collected and analyzed for yields of “oil,” “polyphenol,” “hydrocarbon” and crude protein as well as for botanical characteristics. Data are presented only for the relatively high-yielding species. Oil and hydrocarbon extracts of plants that yielded at least 3.0% oil (dry, ash-free, plant sample basis) and/or at least 0.4% hydrocarbon were analyzed for classes of constituents. Oils of such species were saponified to determine yields of fatty acids and unsaponifiable matter. Hydrocarbon was examined for the presence of rubber, gutta and/or waxes. Polyisoprenes were analyzed for average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. Even when compared to about 1000 species previously analyzed in this program, seven of the species yielded high amounts of oil (7.1–11.1%) plus substantial amounts of polyphenol (10.0–19.7%). Of these, six are evergreen trees or shrubs and one is a nonwoody perennial. Another seven species yielded substantial amounts of oil (5.4–6.6%), of which five gave 17.1–24.7% polyphenol. The most notable oil-producing species wereJuniperus scopulorum (11.1%),Pinus albicaulis (10.1%),Pinus flexilis (9.3%),Pinus mugo (8.4%),Liatris punctata (8.0%) andJuniperus communis (7.8%). Crude protein contents for all 22 species were low (4.2%) to moderate (10.4%). Maximum hydrocarbon content for the 22 selected species reported was only 0.5%. The highest total amount of oil, polyphenol, hydrocarbon and crude protein was 38.9% forAcer ginnala. Data obtained in this study are discussed with respect to those from species previously analyzed in this program.