1.

Introduction

Castor seed, also known as Ricinus communis, is the seed of the castor oil plant. It is a non-edible
oilseed crop that is primarily grown to produce castor oil, which is widely used in various industrial
applications. Castor seed is a hardy crop that can grow in a variety of climatic and soil conditions,
and is mainly cultivated in countries like India, China, Brazil, and Ethiopia [1].

Castor seed contains a high percentage of oil (ranging from 30-50%), which is extracted from the
seed through mechanical pressing or solvent extraction methods. The oil is used in a wide range of
applications, including [2]:

 Lubricants and greases

 Plastics and resins
 Cosmetics and personal care products
 Pharmaceuticals
 Textile and leather processing
 Agriculture and livestock feed

In addition to its use in the production of castor oil, castor seed is also used in traditional medicine
practices and has a number of health benefits. However, it is important to note that castor seeds and
the plant itself contain toxic compounds and should not be ingested.

Castor Oil

Fig 1 (a) Castor Fruit and its seed

1
Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the seeds of the castor bean plant, also known as Ricinus
communis. The main active component of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, a type of fatty acid shown to
possess anti-inflammatory properties. Long used in traditional medicine, castor oil can be used orally
or topically. It's often used as a laxative but has also been studied for potential uses
in labor induction, arthritis, and skincare. However, research on many potential uses of castor oil is
limited. This article looks at the suggested benefits of castor oil and possible side effects,
precautions, interactions, and dosage. Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs in the United
States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and
effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement that has been tested
by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLabs, or NSF. However, even if supplements are
third-party tested, that doesn’t mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general.
Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take
and to check in about any potential interactions with other supplements or medications (Viswanath,
L.C.K.. et al. 2016).

Supplement Facts

 Active ingredient(s): Ricinoleic acid

 Alternate name(s): Ricinus communis, riccinus oil
 Legal status: Legal in the U.S. and available over-the-counter (OTC)
 Suggested dose: There are no universal dosage requirements for castor oil.
 Safety considerations: Side effects, like abdominal cramping, bloating, and dizziness, are
possible when using castor oil.

Purported Uses of Castor Oil

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered
dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent
disease. Castor oil has been suggested to have many health uses, from headaches to menstrual
cramps. But the research on the potential benefits of castor oil is limited. Additionally, study results
regarding its health effects have been inconsistent. Below is a look at what is known about some of
castor oil's most popular uses [2].

2
a) Labor Induction

It has long been claimed that castor oil can induce

labor. But studies investigating this claim have shown mixed results. An observational, retrospective
study looked at the use of castor oil to induce, or initiate, labor. The study took place over five years
and included women between 40 and 41 weeks pregnant, which is full-term. Compared with the
control group, the women who used castor oil showed a higher probability of going into labor within
24 hours [4]

Another study involved 612 women whose pregnancies lasted longer than 40 weeks. Of these
women, 205 received castor oil for induction of labor. The study's authors found that the time to
birth was not significantly different between those who took the oil and those who did not.

b) Laxative

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved castor oil's use as a stimulant laxative. It is
often used to treat constipation or prep the bowels for various medical procedures. However, it may
not work as well as some other laxatives. One study compared castor oil to Sena-Graph syrup,
another type of laxative when used as a bowel prep before a procedure. At the end of the study,
Sena-Graph syrup was found to cleanse and prepare the bowels more significantly than castor oil. It
also caused fewer side effects than castor oil [7].

Ricinoleic acid is thought to be responsible for the laxative properties of castor oil. Once digested,
castor oil is broken down into ricinoleic acid, stimulating the bowels through a series of reactions.

c) Hair & Skin Care

Despite numerous claims that it can do so, there is no solid evidence that castor oil can stimulate hair
growth. However, preliminary research indicated that castor oil might improve the appearance of
hair by increasing its luster. This may be why some people use castor oil as a hair conditioner while
others use it to prevent or treat dandruff. Some people also use castor oil for skin care treatment for
wrinkles and dry skin. Castor oil is considered an occlusive moisturizer. Castor oil and other natural
occlusive moisturizers are said to create a barrier on the skin that locks in moisture and prevents dry
skin [7].

3
However, while other plant oils have been well investigated for potential skin benefits, castor oil has
not. This means that any skin benefits of castor oil have yet to be scientifically proven.

d) Arthritis

Castor oil has been studied for potential use in relieving symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of
the knee. In the study, men and women over 40 with knee osteoarthritis took capsules containing
castor oil or diclofenac sodium (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) three times daily for four
weeks. The results indicated that both treatments were effective at relieving pain associated
with osteoarthritis. In the diclofenac sodium group, 90% of participants showed significant
improvement in pain levels, while 92% of those in the castor oil group showed significant
improvement in arthritis-associated pain [11].

The study authors noted that the findings were significant because no side effects were associated
with the use of castor oil. But in the diclofenac sodium group, about 20% of participants complained
of mild gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), and 4% of participants complained of skin
rashes.

Side Effects of Castor Oil

It's important to be aware of potential side effects before starting a new supplement or medication.
Like most supplements, side effects are possible when using castor oil. These side effects may be
mild or severe. Anecdotal evidence of a rash developing after using castor oil on the skin has been
reported. There has also been limited evidence that using castor oil on hair may be unsafe.

One study discovered a rare condition called acute hair felting, where the hair became hard, twisted,
and entangled. These symptoms occurred following the use of castor oil for the first time by healthy
individuals [12].

Severe Side Effects

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), swallowing too much castor oil can be harmful.
It is possible to overdose on castor oil, which could cause severe consequences.

Signs of castor oil overdose, which warrants immediate medical attention, include:

 Abdominal cramps

4
  Chest pain
 Diarrhea
 Dizziness and fainting
 Hallucinations
 Nausea
 Shortness of breath
 Skin rash
 Throat tightness

Some of these are similar to the common side effects associated with castor oil, so it is important to
take it exactly as directed. Talk with your healthcare provider about the right dose of castor oil for
you.

Precautions

Castor oil may not be right for everyone, and there are a few precautions to take when using it. It is
recommended that people who are pregnant avoid using castor oil, as it could cause premature
contractions. There is not enough research to know if castor oil is safe for breastfeeding people.
Because of this, you should consult your healthcare provider before using castor oil. Also, parents
should consult their pediatrician before giving castor oil to their children. It's possible to be allergic
to the castor plant, as contact dermatitis has been reported in rare cases after using topical castor oil.
Therefore, anyone allergic to castor oil should avoid using it. Ricin, a substance in castor beans, is
also worth mentioning. Ricin is a potent toxin derived from part of the waste mash produced when
beans from the castor plant are processed to make castor oil. Ricin is contained in the hull of the
bean, which is discarded in the oil manufacturing process. This means it does not make its way into
the end product [3].

Ricin made news when letters containing the toxin were sent to members of Congress and the White
House in 2018. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional
exposure to ricin is highly unlikely, except through the ingestion of castor beans. However, if you
suspect exposure to ricin, the agency recommends that you seek medical help immediately.

5
Composition of castor oil

Castor oil is well known as a source of ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated, 18-carbon fatty acid.
Among fatty acids, ricinoleic acid is unusual in that it has a hydroxyl functional group on the 12th
carbon atom . This functional group causes ricinoleic acid (and castor oil) to be more polar than most
fats. The chemical reactivity of the alcohol group also allows chemical derivatization that is not
possible with most other seed oils [5]. Because of its ricinoleic acid content, castor oil is a valuable
chemical in feedstocks, commanding a higher price than other seed oils. As an example, in July
2007, Indian castor oil sold for about US$0.90/kg ($0.41/lb), [ whereas U.S. soybean, sunflower, and
canola oils sold for about $0.30/kg ($0.14/lb).

Acid name Range (in %)

Ricinoleic acid 85–95
Oleic acid 2–6
Linoleic acid 1–5
α-Linolenic acid 0.5–1
Stearic acid 0.5–1
Palmitic acid 0.5–1
Dihydroxystearic acid 0.3–0.5
Others 0.2–0.5

Table No. 1 (a) Average composition of castor seed oil / fatty acids [6]

6
Fig No. 1 (b) Structure of the major component of castor oil: triester of glycerol and ricinoleic acid

7
2. Global Castor oil Production Scenario

As of 2019-20, three countries (India, China, and Brazil) produced 93% of the world’s supply of
castor oil. As production is concentrated mainly in these three countries, total castor production
varies widely from year to year due to fluctuations in rainfall and the size of the area utilized for
planting. Consequently, this concentration has led to cyclic castor production. Thus, diversification
of castor production regions and production under irrigation would hopefully reduce the climatic
impact on castor supplies [4].

 India is the world's largest producer of castor oil, accounting for around 80% of global
production.
 Castor oil has a wide variety of industrial and commercial uses, including as a lubricant, in the
manufacture of soaps and cosmetics, and as a feedstock to produce biodiesel.
 The global castor oil market is expected to grow steadily in the coming years, driven by
increasing demand for sustainable and bio-based products in various industries.
However, the castor plant is known for its high water and pesticide requirements, which can be
problematic in areas with limited resources or environmental concerns. As such, there is a growing
interest in developing more sustainable and efficient methods for castor cultivation and oil
production.

Global Castor Production (QTY in "000" tons)

2020/21 2019/20 2018/19 2017/18 2016/17 2011/12
India 1800 1970 1127 1460 1260 1950
China 17 36 26 32 37 160
Thailand 12 12 12 12 11 11
Africa 20 20 21 17 19 17
Brazil 43 31 20 13 15 141
World 1974 2154 1289 1615 1424 2356

Indian Castor Scenario

India is the leader in global castor production and dominates in international castor oil trade with
92% share of total world’s castor oil production[1]. The Indian variety of castor has an oil content of
48% out of which about 42% can be extracted while the cake retains the rest. Castor grows well in

8
tropical conditions and the crop duration is 4-5 months. In India, it is sown in July/August and
harvesting commences around January/February. The arrivals in the market start from January
onwards till mid of May. The major castor growing states are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
Odisha, and Rajasthan. It is also grown in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.

Castor Seed

Total area under castor seed cultivation in India for the year 2020-21 (Apr-Mar) is estimated to be
826,120 hectares as per the government’s estimates. This was a decline of 15% compared to the
previous year. The total seed production in India is estimated to be 1.902 million tons in 2020-21
against last year’s estimate of 1.953 million tons.

Major Castor Seed Producing States

Cultivation of castor seed mainly confined to western states like Gujarat and Rajasthan which
together contribute 87% to total production. Gujarat has the largest share in India production with
71% share followed by Rajasthan (16%) [16]. Statewise production of Castor is shown in the table
on the right side page.

Gujarat state ranks first position in the country with respect to area and production and productivity
because majority of farmers are adopting hybrid varieties and cultivating this crop as irrigated crop.
Gujarat, kadi has the world’s highest castor seed yield in kilograms per hector. Important castor
growing districts in Gujarat are Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Kutch, Ahmedabad, Kheda,
Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Gandhinagar.

Important castor growing districts of Rajasthan are Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur and Sirohi. Productivity
of farms in Rajasthan has been on a rise too owing to adoption of quality or hybrid variety castor
seed, favourable weather and adequate availability of water for irrigation.

The most important castor growing districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are Ananthapur,
Kurnool, Mahbubnagar, Wanaparthy, Gadwal.

9
 States Castor Acreage Castor Yield Estimates Production Estimates (in Tons)
(Ha) (Kg/Hectare)
States 2019-20 2020- 2019-20 2020-21 2019-20 2020-21
21
Gujarat 740.60 638.00 2241.00 2553.00 1659.30 1629.00
Rajasthan 154.24 125.70 1598.00 1876.00 245.80 235.80
AP 57.35 38.22 593.00 589.00 34.55 22.52
Telangana
Others 21.00 24.00 600.00 630.00 12.60 15.12
India 973.19 826.12 2006.00 2303.00 1952.25 1902.44

Table No. 2 (a) Castor oil seed states wise production per year

Important castor growing districts of Rajasthan are Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur and Sirohi. Productivity
of farms in Rajasthan has been on a rise too owing to adoption of quality or hybrid variety castor
seed, favourable weather and adequate availability of water for irrigation.

The most important castor growing districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are Ananthapur,
Kurnool, Mahbubnagar, Wanaparthy, Gadwal.

10
3. Supply, demand, and production of castor oil in India after the pandemic
situation
India rules the global castor-oil exports and is followed by China and Brazil in the second position.
The castor seeds are produced and cultivated for commercial purposes. The entire process of castor
oil production takes almost three-fourth of the year. The castor seeds are sown in the months of July
and August. The crop is harvested in January and February. It is only after the harvesting process,
the castor seeds are used to extract oil, and the manufacturing of products takes place [15].
Owing to the corona pandemic this year, the time that is crucial to the extraction and production of
castor-based products, went through a difficult phase. There are substantial changes in the purchase
pattern, demand, and supply of the castor oil and its derivatives across the globe due to the corona
pandemic outbreak. Let us explore what happened with castor oil product’s demand and supply
while the world was battling with the pandemic.

Leading the Castor Market

India has favorable natural resources and weather conditions for the cultivation of castor crops. Such
conditions are not available in many other countries abroad. Gujarat is one state in India, where the
production of castor oil takes place to cater to the needs of people across the globe [15].

According to the data made available by the government, the production of castor seeds and castor
oil increases by 10 percent almost every year, and the credit for this growth goes to the labor-
intensive cultivation methods and the subtropical climate conditions of Gujarat. Hence, castor oil
manufacturers in India, rule the world with its supply of a wide variety of castor wax and organic
cold pressed castor oil.

Indian Market Combats Covid-19

The overall demand for castor oil saw a great dip this year, at the time when it was supposed to be at
the peak. After the nation went under lockdown from 25th March 2020, the demand and supply
chain of products made from castor oil had hit the rock bottom. It was virtually a standstill like
condition. But later when some relaxation was given to a few business segments from 20th April
2020, the situation started getting better, if not normal.
India’s castor oil producers, who are majorly located in Western Gujarat, had ceased working due to
lockdown. Another problem was that the incoming ships, loaded with vessels of oil, had to be

11
quarantined and sanitized. Hence, empty containers were not available. Additional to these issues,
the man labor, who worked on the dock and other staff were not available.
The supply of the stated products was severely affected but later in April’20, as per the guidelines of
the government, all the inventory was containerized [15].
After a thorough sanitization process, it was transported to the ports from where it was exported.
After this, following the orders of MHA, the processing plants of castor oil manufacturers in India
were shut down again till the next order was to be exported.
Serving the domestic customers was not as big an issue as serving the overseas customers for these
manufacturers. India exports castor seeds to almost 80 percent of the world. But at the time of the
pandemic, the overall demand had also come down to almost 40 percent of the total. But since 20th
April 2020, after the re-opening of restrictive business segments and availability of vessels, the
world opened its door to get castor oil imported from India. And the situation is quite a under control
now.

12
4. Global castor oil and derivatives in perfumery market
Castor oil and derivatives are used in various applications in the perfumery industry, including as
fixatives, emulsifiers, and solubilizers. Castor oil is also a common carrier oil used in the formulation
of fragrances and essential oils. Some key factors driving the use of castor oil and derivatives in
perfumery include [7]:
 The increasing demand for natural and sustainable ingredients in fragrances and personal care
products.
 The ability of castor oil and derivatives to enhance the performance and stability of fragrances,
particularly in alcohol-based formulations.
 The unique chemical properties of castor oil and derivatives, which make them well-suited for
use in the perfumery industry.
Some of the key players in the global castor oil and derivatives in perfumery market include
companies such as International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., Givaudan SA, and Symrise AG.

Fig. 4 (a)
There are several perfumery raw materials that can be derived from castor oil, which is extracted
from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). Castor oil and its derivatives can be used as a
fixative, emollient, and fragrance ingredient in perfumes and other cosmetic products.
Some examples of perfumery raw materials that can be derived from castor derivatives include:

13
 Undecylenic acid: a fragrant acid that is often used in soaps, perfumes, and other personal care
products

 Sebacic acid: a crystalline powder with a faint odor that can be used in fragrances and as a
plasticizer for perfumes and other cosmetic products
 12-Hydroxystearic acid: a waxy substance that can be used as a thickening agent and emollient
in cosmetic products, including perfumes
 Other potential raw materials from castor derivatives that could be used in perfumery include
ricinoleic acid and dehydrated castor oil.

14
5. Castor oil derivatives products

There are boundless uses, some prevalent while others yet to be discovered, uses of castor oil
derivatives, some of whose names and their utility scenarios are presented below in a tabular form
[16]:
1. Heptaldehyde: used in perfume making for synthesis of fragrant aldehydes and in processing of
heptyl alcohol.
2. Undecylenic Acid: used to make fragrance, bathroom and toilet essentials, cosmetics as well as
fungicides, surface active agents and a number of skin ointments. a variety of compounds useful
as bactericides, fungicides & insect sprays are produced from undecylenic acid.
3. Methyl Undecylenate: owing to its antifungal properties, it is used in formulation of
pharmaceutical as well as cosmetic and personal care products. it is also used in manufacturing
of aromatic chemicals, detergents and synthetic insect pheromones[9].
4. Methyl Ricinoleate: used as an alternative of castor oil in making hydraulic and lubricating
fluids such as motor fuels and gear oils, and also used in processes related to ethyl cellulose and
nitrile rubber . used in anti- rusting and corrosion formulation.
5. Black Castor Oil (Bco): it is primarily used to make anti-corrosive paints and also used soap
making in addition to its utility in manufacturing metal working fluids for drilling purposes and
also motor varnishes [9].
6. Bhilawan Nut Shell Liquid: one of its main uses is to make coatings materials for wood
products such as boat planks and also used as a reliable preservative and water proofing solution.
7. Heptanoic Acid: plasticizers for laminated glass, tracer for butter etc. it is used to prepare
sodium heptanoate, which is used as a corrosion inhibitor. its ester derivatives are used in the
fragrance and flavor industries as well as cosmetics
8. Oenanthol Bisulphiite 98%: it has high quality, effective, safe, reliable and cost effective for
formers. it exhibits strong fungicidal activity by inhibiting spore germination. it cures a large
number of disease like tikka disease, rust, blight, downy mildew, powdery mildew, spot,
damping on, rot, anthracnose pythium, etc.
9. Zinc Undecylenate: zinc undecylenate is used for its anti-fungal properties. it is used as an
active ingredient in powders and ointments for athlete’s foot. zinc undecylenate act as co-
emulsifier in personal care products and as fungicide, antibacterial agent in medicine[9].
10. Zinc Ricinoleate: zinc ricinoleate is used in cosmetics applications, deodorizing means
eliminating or preventing unpleasnt odors, are highly effective active deodorizing substances. it

15
 has good odor absorption properties. many odor removal formulations incorporate zinc
ricinoleate as an activ ingredient.
11. Castor Oil: castor oil is often used in cosmetics to promote hydration and often added to
products like lotions, makeup and cleansers. we can also use this rich oil on its own as a natural
alternative to store-bought moisturizers and lotions. castor oil is thick, so it’s frequently mixed
with other skin-friendly oils like almond, olive and coconut oil to make an ultra-hydrating
moisturizer [14].
12. Ricinoleic Acid: ricinoleic acid serves as an excellent reactant for the synthesis of several
different derivatives including sebacic acid, undecylenic acid, methyl ricinoleate, hydroxy stearic
acid(hsa) etc. ricinoleic acid has been used in contraceptive jellies. ricin acts as a blood
coagulant. it is used in dispersion of pigments and dyes. macrolactones and polyesters can be
derived from ricinoleic acid [14].
13. Oenanthol Bisulphiite 20%: highly water soluble, low dose required, high self-efficacy, no
staining on sprayed leaf or surfaces and can be tank-mixed with half doses of vigor is highly
recommended. the solid filler (75-80%) used to make 20-25% solid is acts as a fertilizer. so 20%
of oenanthol bisulfite shows dual activity both as a fungicide as well as fertilizer.
14. Biofungicide 20 %: it is an eco-friendly non-residual, 100 % bio-based fungicide, harmless to
beneficial insects and bees, that offers human and environmental safety. it exhibits prophylactic
and curative efficacy which acts against various stages of the pathogenesis. long term control
over fungal diseases.
15. Biofungicide 100 %: it exhibits strong fungicide activity by inhibiting spore germination. it
helps to prevent and cure large no of fungal, viral and bacterial diseases like tikka disease, rust,
blight, downy mildew, powdery mildew, damping off, root rot, gamosis, anthracnose, pythium,
oliy spot, canker, etc

16
Table No. 5 (a) Generic chemical reactions of castor oil for manufacture of various grades and
derivatives

17
6. Market Potential

India accounts for 91-93% of world exports of castor oil. The world export of castor oil in 2016-17
(up to March-2017) was 5.25 lakh tons in which India contribution was 4.85 lakh tons. The expected
consumption by end of 2017 is 7.00 Lakh tons whereas export is of 5.25 Lakh tons.

It is well known source of a monounsaturated, ricin oleic and 18-carbon fatty acid. Owing to its
unique chemical structure and rich properties, castor oil and its derivatives find uses in many
industries such as cosmetics, food, lubricants, paints, agriculture, electronics & telecommunications,
pharmaceuticals, perfumeries, plastics and rubber, inks & adhesives and textile chemicals [8]. After
plant oils; castor oil is considered to be the most required oil. However, growing concerns pertaining
to bio-fuels specially biodiesel and biopolymer across the globe is pushing castor oil to play a much
larger role in the world economy[7].

The Existing Markets and Applications for Castor Oil and Castor Oil Derivatives

Textile Chemicals Food Paper Electronics &

Textile Finishing Surfactants Flypapers Telecommunications
Materials Viscosity Reducing Defoamer Polymers for Electronics &
Dyeing Aids Additives Water Proofing Telecommunications
Nylon, Synthetic Flavourings Additive Polyurethanes
Fibers & Resins Food Packaging Insulation Materials
Synthetic Detergents

Plastics & Rubber Cosmetics & Lubricants Pharmaceuticals

Polyamide 11 Perfumeries Lubricating Grease Antihelmintic
(Nylon 11) Perfumery Products Aircraft Lubricants Antidandruff
Plastic Films Lipsticks Jet Engine Cathartic
Adhesives Hair Tonics Lubricants Emollient
Synthetic Resins Shampoos Racing Car Emulsifiers

18
Plasticizers Polishes Lubricants Encapsulants
Coupling Agents Emulsifiers Hydraulic Fluids Expectorant
Polyols Deodorants Textile Heavy Duty Laxatives & Purgative
Finishing Materials Automotive Greases Surfactants
Fuel Additives
Corrosion Inhibitors
Paints, Inks &
Additives
Inks
Plasticizer for
Coatings
Varnishes
Lacquers
Paint Strippers
Adhesive Removers
Wetting &
Dispersing Additives
Finishing Materials

Table No. 6 (a) The Existing Markets and Applications for Castor Oil and Castor Oil Derivatives

19
7) Market and Growth Drivers

Market India is one of the leading manufacturers of Flavors and fragrances in the world. These all
are natural products, but in developing synthetic flavors and fragrances from castor oil derivatives,
India is lagging behind. India, being a world leader in Castor seeds and Castor oil production and
processing has edge over other countries like Japan, France and Germany who are importing castor
oil and manufacturing these perfumery chemicals for further processing into perfumes and Synthetic
flavors. Internationally, Germany, France, Switzerland and Japan are the leading producers of
synthetic flavors and fragrances from many natural ingredients, including castor oil derivatives like
Undecylenic acid and Heptaldehyde. Though, there is large international market for perfumery
chemicals, estimated market in India is approx. [3]. 5000 MT. The Global Demand of Flavors and
Fragrances is set to increase. The following figure gives the region wise Demand Break up of
Flavors and Fragrance market, estimated for the year 2008.

Growth Drivers
 The Global Demand of flavors and fragrance is estimated to increase at a growth rate ofaround
4% per annum.
 Moreover, the demand for flavors and fragrances in the Asia/Pacific region is estimated to
begrowing at a rate of about 7% per annum through 2008 [7]. Growth in the world’s most
developedmarkets will continue to be moderate, restrained by market maturity, consolidation in
flavorsand fragrances using industries and strong downward pressure on prices.
 Flavor and fragrance is looking for products from natural sources and prefer to use raw materials
which are harmless and bio-degradable. In the light of this fact, there is good scope for castor oil
derivatives in the global market.
 Demand for fragrance blends and essential oils will benefit from increased interest in naturaland
exotic aromas, which are more expensive than their synthetic counterparts.

20
8) Production of Heptaldehyde and Undecylenic acid

Heptaldehyde and Undecylenic acid are two important by products of castor oil and their use in the
industry is immense. They are derived from Castor oil. Castor is an important, inedible oilseed crop
of India. The country ranks second in and accounts for about 25% of the world production of this
oilseed crop. The castor seed is crushed for extraction of its oil; however, the industry for production
of castor oil derivatives is not yet well developed. Consequently, India imports castor oil derivatives
in the forms of surface coating materials, textile auxiliaries, perfumary chemicals, polymeric
compounds and surfactants. Thus, it is of considerable interest to develop castor oil derivatives and
the industry for better utilization of castor oil to meet the domestic demand for speciality chemicals
indigenously [7].

Pyrolysis of castor oil at higher temperature (~400 C) under reduced pressure yields heptaldehyde
and undecylenic acid, which are sources of valuable perfumary, pharmaceutical and polymeric
materials. Further, heptaldehyde serves as a solvent for rubber, resins and plastics and is a source of
emulsifiers, plasticizers and insecticides. Similarly, undecylenic acid serves as a source of
bactericides and fungicides [10].

Normally, castor oil pyrolysis is accompanied at lower temperatures by dehydration of the oil and
other prodehydration conditions. The dehydrated oil is polymerized and results in a gelled and
spongy product, difficult to analyze for its constituents. The extent of dehydration and other side
reactions significantly affect the pyrolysis reaction and thus the yields of both the desired
oleochemicals. The other side reactions cause impurity in the resulting product in the form of
acrolein, ketonic compounds and other fatty acids. Several reports have considered pyrolysis of
castor oil at 400-700 C under reduced pressure to obtain heptaldehyde and undecylenic acid in yields
that range from 16.0-24.0% and 17.6-35.0%, respectively [13].

Normally, pyrolysis at higher temperatures proceeds through free radical formation as has been
observed in the case of hydrocarbons. It is possible that pyrolysis reaction of ricinoleic acid
derivatives may also involve a free radical mechanism. Also, the reaction in the presence of free
radical-yielding initiators has been reported to be more effective in providing higher yields of the
desired oleochemicals.

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The reported conditions of pyrolysis in several of these studies, however, do not provide satisfactory
yields of both the desired oleochemicals and thus lack techno-economic feasibility. Consequently,
this research was undertaken to optimize process parameters for pyrolysis of castor oil to obtain
better yields of heptaldehyde as well as undecylenic acid.

Characterization of castor oil: The physiochemical characteristics of castor oil (specific gravity,
color, refractive index, optical rotation, acid value, saponification value and unsaponifiable matter)
were assessed using standard AOCS procedures. The fatty acid composition of castor oil was
determined by gas liquid chromatography of the methyl esters [5].

Heptaldehyde and undecylenic acid were recovered from pyrolysis products of castor oil under
reduced pressure of 20 mm (Hg) at 60-65 C and 160-170 C, respectively. The purity of heptaldehyde
was assessed by hydroxyl amine hydrochloride and 2-4, dinitrophenyl hydrazine methods, as well as
by synthesizing its derivatives, viz, nonenoic acid and 2-4, dinitrophenyl hydrazone, and checking

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their boiling and melting points, respectively [10]. The purity of undecylenic acid was checked by
assessing its iodine value and neutralization number as well as by gas liquid chromatography (GLC)
and boiling point of its methyl ester. The identity of the above products was further confirmed by IR
and NMR spectroscopy.

The production of Heptaldehyde and Undecylenic acid from castor oil involves the following
four steps:
1. Alkali-catalyzed methanolysis: The first step involves the conversion of castor oil into its
methyl esters through methanolysis. The reaction is carried out in the presence of an alkali
catalyst such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
2. Pyrolytic decomposition: The next step is the pyrolytic decomposition of the castor oil
methyl esters. This process involves heating the methyl esters at a high temperature in the
absence of air or oxygen.
3. Preparation of Heptaldehyde and Undecylenic Acid: The liquid product from the
pyrolytic decomposition step is fractionally distilled to isolate the desired compounds.
Heptaldehyde and Undecylenic acid are separated and purified by distillation and other
separation techniques.
4. Analysis and estimation of the products: The final step involves the analysis and
estimation of the products obtained. The products are analyzed using various analytical
techniques such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to determine their purity and
identify impurities.

Laboratory preparation method

Alkali Catalysed Methanolysis

Castor oil was taken in a double necked flask and methanol was added along with freshly
prepared methoxide as a catalyst. The reaction mixture was kept in a magnetic stirrer with air
reflux for lower temperature reaction and in water reflux for higher temperature reaction. The
mixture was distilled to separate the unreacted methanol. The product mixture was separated
in to glycerol and methyl ester in separating funnel. Water was allowed during the process.
The glycerol from the water wash was collected and analysed. The methyl ester was dried.

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 Fig. No. 8 (a) Biodiesel Reactor, 8 (b) Separating Flask and 8 (c) Esterified Oil

Pyrolytic Decomposition

 Pyrolytic decomposition of Methyl esters is carried out. The temperature of the system is
maintained at 400-700 degree celsius under vacuum to allow Pyrolytic decomposition

 The product heptaldehyde and undecylenic acid/methyl undecylenate are condensed and
collected as top layer products. The heptaldehyde and Undecylenic acid were separated by
distillation due to their different boiling points

Fig. No 8 (d)

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