Castor Oil Production and Applications
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nova Science Publishers
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
castor oil, non-edible oil, ricinoleic acid, transesterification, biodiesel, nanomaterials, eco-friendly resource