Synthesis and Characterization of Maleinized Rice Bran Oil Fatty Acids

Ricebran oil has higher percentage of free fatty acids which accounts for its use in various industries. In the present work rice bran fatty acids have been used for maleinization. In rice bran fatty acids maleic anhydride reacts with oleic acid without loss of unsaturation in the acid and formed succinic anhydride type adduct. Hydration of the maleinized product is performed to overcome from a number of technological difficulties such as increase in the product viscosity, abrupt and uncontrollable drop of the acid number and also gelation. Inspite of its high free acid content and dark colour, rice bran oil can be conveniently used in laundry soaps directly, but conversion of oil into distilled fatty acids provides various avenues for value added products. The absence of linolenic acid in rice bran fatty acids has an excellent advantage in providing non-yellowing characteristics. This property of rice bran fatty acids opens avnues for coating industries.