The seeds are collected when ripe: as the
capsules dry, they open and discharge the seeds.
The oil is prepared by
shelling and crushing the seeds between rollers.
The crushed mass is then placed in hempen cloths
and pressed in a screw or hydraulic press. The
oil which exudes is mixed with water and heated
till the water boils and the mucilaginous matter
in the oil separates as a scum. It is next
strained, then bleached in the sunlight and
stored for exportation. There are two modes of
extracting the oil by expression: (1) without
heat, when it is termed 'cold drawn Castor Oil
(2) with heat.
Medicinal Value
Purgative
Castor oil is described in Ayurveda as the "King
of vayo disorders"
|
Specs of Castor Oil |
|
1.
Optical rotation Min |
+
3.5º |
|
|
2.
Specific Gravity at 30º C |
0.9540 - 0.9600 |
|
|
3.
Saponifcation Value 30º C |
176 - 187 |
|
|
4.
Acid value, percent by mass Max. |
2 |
|
|
|
|
6.
Free fatty acid as Ricinoleic
acid |
0.97% |
|
