568 The Philippine Journal of Science 1923 



carpic by one crystallization from 80 per cent alcohol. This un- 

 known acid portion is optically inactive or at least less active 

 than hydnocarpic. The 18-carbon-atom fractions contain chaul- 

 moogric acid, which can be separated out more readily than can 

 the hydnocarpic above mentioned. A more highly unsaturated 

 portion is left, in the case of many samples, when the chaul- 

 moogric acid is crystallized out. 



No reason appears for considering chaulmoogric oil to be 

 superior to the Hydnocarpus oils in general for therapeutic pur- 

 poses. Clinical data on this point, however, are lacking, and 

 must be obtained before any positive statements can be made. 

 Even more important is the clinical study of the various com- 

 ponents of the hydnocarpus oils, as it is probable that when the 

 effects of each is well known better therapeutic results can be 

 obtained than are possible at present. 



Brill's results on Gynocardia odoratcu were evidently due to a 

 confusion of this seed with that of Taraktogenos kurzii, which 

 confusion still exists in Assam in spite of the ease with which 

 the seeds can be distinguished. 



Brill's conclusion that chaulmoogric or hydnocarpic acid is 

 contained in Pangium edule is rendered doubtful by our experi- 

 ments. Some variable optically active constituent is contained 

 in the fatty acid fraction, however, possibly the above-mentioned 

 acids together with a destructive enzyme. 



SUMMARY 



1. The analytical data existing in the literature on the chaul- 

 moogra group of oils have been summarized and found to be 

 qualitative and incomplete. 



2. Authenticated seeds of ten species related to chaulmoogra 

 and fifteen samples of commercial oils were studied for the pur- 

 poses of (a) establishing criteria for the recognition of each 

 oil and for the detection of adulteration, (b) sufficiently sepa- 

 rating each oil into its components to enable its evaluation as 

 a potential source of hydnocarpic acid, chaulmoogric acid, or 

 other therapeutically valuable constituents, and (c) determining 

 economically important data. 



3. The seeds were graded and extracted by solvents. The 

 oils thus obtained as well as the commercial oils were examined 

 for specific gravity, refractive index, freezing point, optical rota- 

 tion, iodine absorption, saponification number, and acidity, and 

 their fatty acids for freezing point and specific rotatory power. 



