Synonyms,Biological Source,Chemical Constituent,Uses

1. Castor Oil
By
Miss Gayatri Patra
Assistant Professor
EPCP, Bangalore, India

2. Castor Oil
Synonym-Ricinus Oil.
Biological Source-Castor oil is the fixed oil obtained by the cold
expression of the seeds of Ricinus communis, family Euphorbiaceae.
Geographical Source- Castor seeds are produced in almost all tropical
and sub-tropical countries.

4. Chemical Constituents
• Castor seeds contains 35-50% of castor oil.
• Castor oil chiefly contains triglyceride of ricinoleic acid(about 80 per
cent).
• Other glycerides are also present in the drug, where the fatty acids
are represented by isoricinoleic,linoleic,stearic and isostearic acids.
• The viscosity of the castor oil is due to ricinoleic acid.

5. Identification Test
• It mixes with half it’s volume of light petroleum ether (40-60°) but
insoluble in double the volume of petroleum ether.
• Add to the oil an equal volume of ethanol; clear liquid is obtained. On
cooling at 0°C and on storage for three hours; the liquid remains clear
(distinction from other fixed oils).

7. Uses:-
Castor oil is mild purgative, fungistatic, used as an ointment base, as
plasticizer, wetting agents, as a lubricating agent. Ricinoleic acid is used
in contraceptive creams and jellies; it is also used as an emollient in the
preparation of lipsticks, in tooth formulation, as an ingredient in hair
oil.