ABSTRACT
The chemical industry continues to derive most of its feedstocks from fossil petroleum. The main focus of research has been directed at vegetable oils and plant fibers, for which there are serious shortages throughout the industrialized world. Industrial fats and oils have traditionally been derived from three main sources, these being inedible tallow or lard, fish and whale oil, and a few oil-bearing plants. Oil-bearing plants produce an especially valuable category of commodity–the fatty acids, complex mixtures of liquids and semi-solids that melt at low temperature. Waxes make a key contribution to modern industry. Natural rubber is one of the most important products that underpin our daily lives. Among economic plants of unexploited potential are those that offer a product of increasing importance, natural sweeteners. Edible oils from the palms turn up at many points in our daily rounds, in the form of margarine, ice cream, mayonnaise, cooking oil, and bakery products.
