|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
castor oil
castor oil yellowish oil obtained from the seed of the castor bean . The oil content of the seeds varies from about 20% to 50%. After the hulls are removed the seeds are cold-pressed. Medicinal castor oil is prepared from the yield of the first pressing; this is used as a purgative and laxative. Oil from the second pressing is used as a lubricant for machinery, as a softening agent in making artificial leather, in the dressing of genuine leather, in brake fluids, and in paints and plastic materials. The residue can be used as fertilizer and (after the poisonous substance, ricin, is removed) as cattle feed. Other products having similar properties and uses have been gradually replacing castor oil. |
|
|
Cite this article
"castor oil." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "castor oil." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-castoroi.html "castor oil." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-castoroi.html |
|
castor oil
castor oil Oil from the seeds of the castor oil plant, Ricinus spp. The oil itself is not irritating, but in the small intestine it is hydrolysed by lipase to release ricinoleic acid, which is irritant to the intestinal mucosa and therefore acts as a purgative. The seeds also contain the toxic lectin, ricin.
|
|
|
Cite this article
DAVID A. BENDER. "castor oil." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "castor oil." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-castoroil.html DAVID A. BENDER. "castor oil." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-castoroil.html |
|
castor oil
castor oil See RICINUS.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "castor oil." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "castor oil." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-castoroil.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "castor oil." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-castoroil.html |
|
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
