Preparation and some properties of tung oil monoglycerides

Summary Several methods for the preparation of tung oil monoglycerides were investigated. Products richest in both monoglyceride (78%) and triene conjugation (63% as eleostearic acid) were obtained by glycerolysis with sodium methoxide in pyridine solution. Attempts to increase the content of monoglyceride and triene conjugation by selective solvents were unsuccessful. The monoglycerides were effective in lowering the surface tension of water as well as the interfacial tension of several oils, including tung oil, against water. The tung oil monoglycerides behaved as fugitive emulsifiers and, after drying, retarded the removal of spray residue (lead arsenate) by washing with a water spray more than did other emulsifiers, such as cottonseed oil monoglycerides. The ammonium soap of tung oil fatty acids also acted as a fugitive emulsifier.