Castor Oil Production and Applications
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Nova Science Publishers
Abstract
Description
Castor oil extracted from the castor oil seeds of Ricinus communis is
an important naturally occurring oil identified as a useful raw material for
diverse industrial applications. Historically, the oil has been used in
medicinal fields (as a laxative agent) as well as in cosmetics. The main
attractive attributes of this oil include biodegradability and non-volatility.
Thus, this has recently enabled derivatization to afford value-added
chemicals through alternative green synthetic protocols. The oil contains
a large percentage of an unusual fatty acid, 12-hydroxy-9-cisoctadecenoic
acid, commonly known as ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid can be easily extracted through chemical processes and subsequently
exploited as a biosource for the production of high-grade lubricants,
transparent typewriter and printing inks, textile dyes, leather preservation
agents and polyamide nylon-type fibres. The most recent advances
identify castor oil and its major isolate (ricinoleic acid) as potential green
solvents and/or capping agents in the synthesis of high quality
nanomaterials and nanocomposites.
Keywords
castor oil, non-edible oil, ricinoleic acid, transesterification, biodiesel, nanomaterials, eco-friendly resource