Abstract: Aleurites montana oil was extracted using three different solvents of chloroform, petroleum ether, and hexane-isopropanol (3:2). The results showed chloroform was the most efficient solvent. The effects of extraction time and solvent volume on the seed oil yield were studied. The maximum oil yield (37%) was achieved with a ratio 12:1 (v/w) of chloroform to seed kernel for 6 h extraction time. After transesterification of the seed oil, its major fatty acid composition was analyzed by GC-MS. The total fatty acids content was up to 90.55%, including 3.87% palmitic acid, 4.11% stearic acid, 12.15% linoleic acid, 13.31% oleic acid, 12.09% linolenic acid, 51.20% conjugated linolenic acid, and 3.30% EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). Aleurites montana oil was an excellent drying oil that is rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

Key words: Aleurites montana, extraction technology, transesterification, fatty acid, GC-MS