206
R. Tesser et al.
Sects. 8.3.2 and 8.3.3). The latter applies generally to the utilization of the synthetic
potential of nature [25].
TAG, as the dominant form of plant oil, has recently attracted immense interest in terms of being produced in plant vegetative tissues via genetic engineering
technologies. Multidiscipline-based ‘-omics’ studies are increasingly enhancing our
understanding of plant lipid biochemistry and metabolism. As a result, the identification of biochemical pathways and the annotation of key genes contributing to fatty
acid biosynthesis and to lipid assembly and turnover have been effectively updated.
In recent years, there has been a rapid development in the genetic enhancement of
TAG accumulation in high-biomass plant vegetative tissues and oilseeds through the
genetic manipulation of the key genes and regulators involved in TAG biosynthesis.
Genetic engineering strategies ranging from single-gene manipulation to multigene
stacking aimed at increasing plant biomass TAG accumulation [237].
The basic oleochemicals (Scheme 1) are fatty acids (ca. 52%), the respective
methyl esters (ca. 11%), amines (ca. 9%) and alcohols (ca. 25%). These are used
for the production of important product groups such as surfactants, lubricants and
coatings. Fatty acid methyl esters production increased during the past 10 years
because of their large-scale utilization as biodiesel. This fact stimulated research on
glycerol as a platform chemical for the production of bulk chemicals. Most of the
native oils contain unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid (1a) which is applied
in the well-known reactions of petrochemical alkenes but only very few reactions
across the double bond of unsaturated fatty compounds are currently applied in the
chemical industry [25].
Thus, it will be important to introduce and to cultivate more and new oil plants that
provide fatty acids with new and interesting properties for chemical utilization, such
as petroselinic acid (6a) from the seed oil of Coriandrum sativum, (5Z)-eicosenoic
acid (7a) from meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) seed oil, Calendic acid (8a) from
Calendula officinalis, and a-eleostearic acid (9a) and punicic acid (10a) from tung
(chinese wood) oil and pomegranate [25].
As we have seen, the scenario of oleochemistry products is rather wide and complex and, in this review, we have restricted our analysis to four classes of oleochemistry fundamental products. These products have been examined from the point of
view of synthesis, application and market growth. The considered categories are: (i)
surfactants, (ii) essential oils as fungicides and additive for plastics, (iii) paints and
coatings and (iv) epoxy-based plasticizers.
8.2 Surfactants
Surfactants: “Surfactants, also referred to as tensides, are active substances whose
molecules or ions have the property that, when a characteristic concentration in aqueous solution is exceeded, they associate by reversible aggregation to form larger particles, known as micelles, which impart important colloidal behavior to the solution”
(Ullmann’s Encyclopedia, [218].
R. Tesser et al.
Sects. 8.3.2 and 8.3.3). The latter applies generally to the utilization of the synthetic
potential of nature [25].
TAG, as the dominant form of plant oil, has recently attracted immense interest in terms of being produced in plant vegetative tissues via genetic engineering
technologies. Multidiscipline-based ‘-omics’ studies are increasingly enhancing our
understanding of plant lipid biochemistry and metabolism. As a result, the identification of biochemical pathways and the annotation of key genes contributing to fatty
acid biosynthesis and to lipid assembly and turnover have been effectively updated.
In recent years, there has been a rapid development in the genetic enhancement of
TAG accumulation in high-biomass plant vegetative tissues and oilseeds through the
genetic manipulation of the key genes and regulators involved in TAG biosynthesis.
Genetic engineering strategies ranging from single-gene manipulation to multigene
stacking aimed at increasing plant biomass TAG accumulation [237].
The basic oleochemicals (Scheme 1) are fatty acids (ca. 52%), the respective
methyl esters (ca. 11%), amines (ca. 9%) and alcohols (ca. 25%). These are used
for the production of important product groups such as surfactants, lubricants and
coatings. Fatty acid methyl esters production increased during the past 10 years
because of their large-scale utilization as biodiesel. This fact stimulated research on
glycerol as a platform chemical for the production of bulk chemicals. Most of the
native oils contain unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid (1a) which is applied
in the well-known reactions of petrochemical alkenes but only very few reactions
across the double bond of unsaturated fatty compounds are currently applied in the
chemical industry [25].
Thus, it will be important to introduce and to cultivate more and new oil plants that
provide fatty acids with new and interesting properties for chemical utilization, such
as petroselinic acid (6a) from the seed oil of Coriandrum sativum, (5Z)-eicosenoic
acid (7a) from meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) seed oil, Calendic acid (8a) from
Calendula officinalis, and a-eleostearic acid (9a) and punicic acid (10a) from tung
(chinese wood) oil and pomegranate [25].
As we have seen, the scenario of oleochemistry products is rather wide and complex and, in this review, we have restricted our analysis to four classes of oleochemistry fundamental products. These products have been examined from the point of
view of synthesis, application and market growth. The considered categories are: (i)
surfactants, (ii) essential oils as fungicides and additive for plastics, (iii) paints and
coatings and (iv) epoxy-based plasticizers.
8.2 Surfactants
Surfactants: “Surfactants, also referred to as tensides, are active substances whose
molecules or ions have the property that, when a characteristic concentration in aqueous solution is exceeded, they associate by reversible aggregation to form larger particles, known as micelles, which impart important colloidal behavior to the solution”
(Ullmann’s Encyclopedia, [218].