Castor oil refined

Castor oil is a viscous, non‑volatile triglyceride oil obtained from the seeds of Ricinus communis, typically containing at least about 85% ricinoleic acid.​

In refined grades, commercial castor oil is subjected to bleaching and filtration (and sometimes neutralisation and deodorisation) to produce a clear, light‑yellow liquid free from suspended matter and with controlled FFA and moisture levels.​

Typical properties

Refined castor oil first special grade (FSG/BSS) is described as a yellow, highly viscous liquid, insoluble in water, with refractive index around 1.477–1.481, acid value typically ≤2, and free fatty acids ≤1%.​

High‑purity pharma grades (BP/EP/USP, “super refined” or “ultra refined”) are nearly colourless, low‑odour oils meeting pharmacopoeial limits on ricinoleic acid content, moisture, acid value, residual solvents, and sometimes endotoxins, making them suitable for oral, topical, or even parenteral formulations.​

Main uses

Refined/FSG castor oil is widely used as a raw material for castor‑oil derivatives and as a plasticizer and lubricant in resins, elastomers, rubber, coatings, and dielectric fluids.​

Pharma‑grade refined castor oil is used as an excipient and emollient in oral capsules, laxative preparations, ointments, eye drops, and injectable formulations, where high purity and stability are critical.​