Project Report on Castor Oil Derivative Oleo Resin [EIRI-0973]

Castor oil obtained by a combination of pressing and extraction from the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) consists of upto 90% of triglyceride of ricinoleic acid, 12 hydroxy oleic acid. The hydroxyl number of castor oil is 161-169. The component glycerides of castor oil (%mole) comprise saturated-diricinoleins (7.3%) oleo-diricinoleins (2.5%) Linoleo diricinoleins (13.4%), Dihydroxy Stearo diricinoldins (2%) Triricinolein  (74.8%). More important the non-drying  ricinoleic acid in the castor oil can be dehydrated to give a drying oil i.e. dehydrated castor oil. This drying oil is formed by heating castor oil under reduced pressure of 240-260oC in the pressure of 0.1-0.2 wt.% of an acid catalyst e.g. H2SO4, phophoric  acid,  or acidic salts with the elimination of  water from  ricinoleic acid.  yielding  a mixture of  9,11 and 9,12 octadecadienoic acids, called dehydrated castor oil acid. However,  the degree of conjugation in this reaction is higher, upto 65% conjugated octadecadienoic acid. Resins can be  produced from these dehydration products. Oleo-resins, an a broader prospective  are  the  natural volatile and non-volatile  flavour constituents of  botanicals etc. produced by volatile solvent extraction and subsequent removal of the solvent by distillation. Specifically, the castor oil derivative oleo-resin finds an extensive use in medicines, viz. carminative and digestive purposes etc. The demand of oleo-resins is increasing with  the  expansion of its end-user industries and the product has a bright scope  as well as good future prospects.