Review on: Production of Oil from Castor Seed and its Characterization

Abstract

Overall result from comparison of different authors Beruk's results indicates the Ethiopian castor seed oil shows high percentage yield, low acid value, very high saponification value and high Viscosity. Therefore the Ethiopia castor seed oil has high content of oil, ricinoleic acid and less content of free fatty acid. Also shows good quality oil, good yield and high prospects for commercialization and industrial usage, especially in the areas of medicine, soap and cosmetics, lubricants, food additives, as well as in biopolymer and biofuel production. Physicochemical characterization of the purified oil revealed low acid value, but relatively high specific gravity and highest saponification values. These values compare favorably with ASTM standards and general specifications for industrial grade castor oil, suggesting that the oil has good industrial potential. The castor seed oil is rich in ricinoleic acid which shows that the oil is a good source of ricinoleic acid.