Assessment of Western Australian sandalwood seeds for seed oil production

Abstract

The Western Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum R.Br.) industry is transforming into an agro-forestry industry in which the seeds are being considered as a valuable secondary income generating product. Oil extracted from the seeds has a potential use in the cosmetic industry. This study aimed to identify the quality parameters for seeds to obtain oil of better and consistent quality, and the effect of seed source, seed size and storage time. Different seed samples varied in oil content, moisture content and fatty acid profile. Larger seeds from plantation trees in the wheatbelt region of Western Australia are the most suitable source of seed oil thus far evaluated. The seed grading system currently used by the sandalwood industry was suitable for selecting seeds from plantations (but not from natural stands in arid regions – ‘wild wood’) for seed oil production. Basic parameters for the selection of seeds for oil extraction were identified.