The seed fat of Mallotus philippinensis (Kamala oil) - an examination of some Australian material

Abstract

Australian samples of seeds of Mallotus philippinensis, a tree which has recently received much attention in India as a source of a seed oil possessing drying properties very similar to those of tung oil, have been examined. The Australian oil is shown to be comparable with the Indian. Obstacles to economic production are harvesting difficulties, smallness of the fruit, variability in the quality of the oil, and the need to use solvents other than the usual light petroleum for extraction.