Alkylester fatty acid blends and uses therefor

Abstract

Provided herein are blends oils or fatty acids comprising more than 50% medium chain fatty acids, or the fatty acid alkyl esters thereof, and having low melting points. Such blends are useful as a fuel or as a starting material for the production of, for example, a biodiesel. Also provided genetically altered or modified plants, modified such that the amount of medium chain fatty acids generated by the plant are increased. Further provided is a method of predicting the melting point of a blend of fatty acid methyl esters and the use of such a method for identifying blends suitable for use as, for example, a biodiesel.

1 . A mixture of fatty acids comprising:
 80% to 100% saturated fatty acids having 8-12 carbons and monounsaturated fatty acids having 12-18 carbons;   5% to 80% caprylic acid (C8:0) and capric acid (C10:0), and   less than 20% lauric acid (C12:0);   wherein said monounsaturated fatty acids account for 5% to 95% by weight of the mixture; and   wherein said mixture comprises less than 20% polyunsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids having more than 12 carbons;   wherein said fatty acids are alkyl-esterified;   wherein the alkyl-esterified fatty acids comprise one or more alkyl esters selected from the group consisting of methylesters, ethylesters, n-propylesters, n-butylesters, and isopropylesters: or wherein the alkyl-esterified fatty acids comprise straight chain alkyl esters.   
     
     
         2 - 140 . (canceled) 
     
     
         141 . A blend of two or more oils, wherein said blend comprises
 at least 50% by weight saturated medium chain fatty acids, myristoleic acid (C14:1), and monounsaturated long chain fatty acids, wherein said medium chain fatty acids comprise caprylic acid (C8:0), and wherein said caprylic acid comprises up to about 25% by weight of the blend and less than 10% by weight myristic acid (C14:0) and saturated long chain fatty acids;   wherein said fatty acids are alkyl-esterified: and   wherein the alkyl-esterified fatty acids comprise one or more alkyl esters selected from the group consisting of methylesters, ethylesters, n-propylesters, n-butylesters, and isopropylesters or wherein the alkyl-esterified fatty acids comprise straight chain alkyl esters.   
     
     
         142 . A mixture of fatty acids comprising
 at least 50% by weight medium chain fatty acids, myristoleic acid (C14:1), and monounsaturated long chain fatty acids, wherein said saturated medium chain fatty acids compose caprylic-acid (C8:0), and wherein said caprylic acid comprises up to about 25% by weight of the blend, and   less than 1.0% by weight myristle acid (C14:0) and saturated long chain fatty acids;   wherein said fatty acids are alkyl-esterified; and   wherein the alkyl-esterified fatty acids comprise one or more alkyl esters selected from, the group consisting of nrethylesters, ethylesters, n-propylesters, n-butylesters, and isopropylesters or wherein the alkyl-esterified fatty acids comprise straight chain alkyl esters.   
     
     
         143 . The mixture of  claim 1 , wherein oleic acid (C18:1) and palmitoleic acid (16:1) together account for 50% to 35% of the mixture. 
     
     
         144 . The mixture of  claim 1 , wherein stearic (18:0) and palmitic acid (16:0) account for less than 4% of the mixture. 
     
     
         145 . The mixture of  claim 1 , wherein linoleic acid (18:2) and linolenic acid (18:3) together account for less than 3% of the mixture. 
     
     
         146 . The mixture of  claim 1 , wherein said mixture comprises:
 55% to 65% oleic acid (C18:1);   5% to 15% lauric acid (C12:0):   15% to 25% capric acid (C10:0); and   5% to 15% caprylic acid (C8:0),   
     
     
         147 . The mixture of  claim 1 , wherein caprylic acid (C8:0), capric acid (C10:0), and lauric acid (C12:0) together account for 60% to 85% of the mixture. 
     
     
         148 . The mixture of  claim 1 , wherein oleic acid (C18:1) and palmitoleic acid (16:1) together account for 15% to 40% of the mixture. 
     
     
         149 . The mixture of  claim 141 , wherein oleic acid (C18:1) and palmitoleic acid (16:1) together account for 50% to 85% of the mixture. 
     
     
         150 . The mixture of  claim 141 , wherein stearic (18:0) and palmitic acid (16:0) account for less than 4% of the mixture. 
     
     
         151 . The mixture of  claim 141 , wherein linoleic acid (18:2) and linolenic acid (18:3) together account for less than 3% of the mixture. 
     
     
         152 . The mixture of  claim 141 , wherein said mixture comprises:
 55% to 65% oleic acid (C18:1);   5% to 15% lauric acid (C12:0);   13% to 25% capric acid (C10:0); and   5% to 15% caprylic acid (C8:0).   
     
     
         153 . The mixture of  claim 141 , wherein caprylic acid (C8:0), capric acid (C10:0), and lauric acid (C12:0) together account tor 60% to 85% of the mixture, 
     
     
         154 . The mixture of  claim 141 , wherein oleic acid (C18:1) and palmitoleic acid (1.6:1) together account, for 15% to 40% of the mixture. 
     
     
         155 . The mixture of  claim 142 , wherein stearic (18:0) and palmitic acid (16:0) account for less than 4% of the mixture. 
     
     
         156 . The mixture of  claim 142 , wherein linoleic acid (18:2) and linolenic acid (18:3) together account, for less than 3% of the mixture. 
     
     
         157 . The mixture of  claim 142 , wherein said mixture comprises:
 55% to 65% oleic acid (C18:1);   5% to 15% lauric add (C12:0);   13% to 25% capric acid (C10:0); and   5% to 15% caprylic acid (C8:0).   
     
     
         158 . The mixture of  claim 142 , wherein caprylic acid (C8;0), capric acid (C10:0), and lauric acid (C12:0) together account for 60% to 85% of the mixture. 
     
     
         159 . The mixture of  claim 142 , wherein oleic acid (C18:1) and palmitoleic acid (16:1) together account for 15% to 40% of the mixture.