However, physical refining is not recommended in the case of castor oil, due to its sensitivity to heat as it normally starts disintegrating above 150°C, which can result in the hydrolysis of the hydroxyl groups.
What is Castor processing flow diagram?
Castor processing flow diagram. The first step in the castor oil refining process, called degumming, is used to reduce the phosphatides and the metal content of the crude oil.
What happens if Castor oil is unrefined?
Unrefined castor oil leads to rapid degradation due to the presence of impurities as mentioned in “Castor oil refining” section, making it less suitable for most applications. 1 Hence, a refining process has to be conducted prior to the derivatization of the oil.
How is castor oil extracted?
Castor oil seed contains about 30%–50% oil ( m/m ). 74, 75 Castor oil can be extracted from castor beans by either mechanical pressing, solvent extraction, or a combination of pressing and extraction. 74 After harvesting, the seeds are allowed to dry so that the seed hull will split open, releasing the seed inside.