CASTOR DE OILED

Castor is an important industrial oilseed crop. Castor finds a place of prestige in the cropping systems of dry-land agriculture in semi-arid zones of India, because of its deep root system, drought hardiness, and quick growth. India occupies the second prestigious position in world’s castor market after Brazil. India also exports substantial part of its total castor produce to earn foreign exchange.Castor oil finds a number of uses for domestic, medicinal and industrial purposes. Castor oil contains a very high percentage (approximately 85 per cent) of hydroxy fatty acid known as recinoleic acid. Recinoleic acid can be treated by dehydration. This dehydrated castor oil is in demand for paints and varnishes because of its non-yellowing quality.Castor oil is used as a lubricant in all moving parts of machinery, and for internal combustion engines especially those used in airplanes.

1. It is also used as an illuminant, giving a bright and steady flame and burning much longer than any other vegetable oil. Hydrogenated castor oil is used in polishes, ointments, waxes, printing inks, cosmetic, hair dressings, soaps and disinfectants. Castor oil is also used as a purgative. In dyeing industries, it is used for the preparation of `Turkey red’.

   Castor oil is used in many veterinary uses. It is used externally as an emollient. It is also used as a soothing medium when dropped into the eyes of animals after removal of foreign bodies. The castor oil cake is a valuable manure, but owing to the presence of the poison `ricin’ it is unfit for cattle feed. It contains about 5.5 per cent nitrogen, 1.8-1.9 per cent phosphorus and 1.1 per cent potash.