Euphorbia lagascae Spreng., an abundant source of epoxyoleic acid; Seed extraction and oil composition

Euphorbia lagascae Sprengel seed contains an unique epoxy‐bearing oil (58舑62%, 12,13‐epoxyoleic acid) in high quantity (42舑50%) with possible industrial potential. Oil from domestically grown seed was equal in quality and quantity to that obtained from Spain. It was readily and completely extracted at room temperatures without lipolysis using low solvent (petroleum naphtha) to seed ratios. The extracted crude oil was about equal in quality to that obtained by cold‐pressing. Analytical data on the seed oil are compared with those previously reported for the oil of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. (ironweed) seed.