Crop description. Aleurites fordii (Vernicia fordii) and A. montana— commonly known as the tung tree, Chinese wood, Abrasin, and Mu (see Fig. 4.24)—belong to the family Euphorbiaceae and grow well in cold cli­mates, but will survive in subtropical conditions (A. fordii). A. montana prefers a tropical climate. Major producers are China, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, and the United States. The nut of this deciduous tree contains an oil-rich kernel. The oil content of the air-dried fruit lies between 15% and 20% [77]. Major fatty acid composition of oil includes

palmitic acid (5.5%), oleic acid (4.0%), linoleic acid (8.5%), and eleostearic acid (82%) [77].

Main uses. Tung oil is used in paints, varnishes, and so forth. It is also used in the production of linoleum, resins, and chemical coatings. It has been used in motor fuels in China [77]. The seed cake after oil extraction is used as a fertilizer and cannot be used for animal feed as it contains a toxic protein [75]. No references about its use as a raw mate­rial to produce biodiesel have been found to date.