Castor Oil
Castor Oil is a pale yellow, viscous vegetable oil obtained from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. It is rich in ricinoleic acid, a unique fatty acid that gives the oil its distinctive lubricating, emulsifying, and chemical reactivity properties. Castor oil is widely used in industrial, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications due to its versatility and natural origin. In the chemical industry, it serves as a raw material for the production of polyurethanes, coatings, lubricants, plasticizers, and surfactants. In cosmetics and personal care, it is valued for its moisturizing, conditioning, and emollient properties. Castor oil is also used in medicinal formulations as a mild laxative and in food-grade applications in small quantities. Its biodegradability, non-toxicity, and multifunctional properties make castor oil an important renewable resource in both traditional and modern industrial applications.
Specifications
| Parameter | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Yellow, clear, viscous liquid free of suspended matter |
| Sp. Gravity @ 30/30°C | 0.954-0.960 |
| Moisture, Insoluble & Volatiles(MIV) (*) | 0.25% max |
| Refractive index@ 40°C | 1.4700 - 1.4740 |
| Optical Rotation@ 25°C | + 3.5° to +6.0° |
| lodine value (Wijs)(*), g/2/100g | 82-90 |
| Saponification value, mgKOH/q | 177 - 185 |
| Unsaponifiable matter | 1% max |
| Free Fatty Acid (FFA) as Oleic acid | 1% max |
| Acid Value(*), maKOH/q | 2 max |
| Hydroxy/ Value(*), mgKOH/g | 160-168 |
| Color in Lovibond, 5.25" cell(*) | 20.0Y, 2.0R max |
| Color on Gardner Scale | 4 max |
| Viscosity (by Gardner-Holdt tube) | 6.3 - 8.9 stokes |
*Values reported on Certificate of Analysis
Other Information
Castor Oil, also known as Ricinus Oil, is a triglyceride of fatty acids like most other fats. However, it is a unique fat in that it contains 85-90% Ricinoleic acid (cis-12-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoic acid), a rare source of an eighteen-carbon hydroxylated fatty acid with one double bond.
Packing
Castor oil is offered in drums of 200kg net, in tankers and in bulk.
