Some Mineral Composition of Castor (ricinus Communis) Seeds Oil

Student: Oyindamola Precious Kareem (Project, 2025)
Department of Medical Biochemistry
University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State

Abstract

Castor seed oil, derived from Ricinus communis, is a versatile vegetable oil known for its high ricinoleic acid content, which makes it valuable in pharmaceutical, industrial, and cosmetic applications. This study explores the mineral composition of castor seed oil, focusing on elements such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd). The analysis was conducted using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) to determine the concentration of these minerals and their potential impact on the oil’s stability, therapeutic efficacy, and industrial applications. The results indicate that castor seed oil contains trace amounts of Fe 1.06 ± 0.04 mg/100g, Zn 2.28 ± 0.02 mg/100g, and Cu 0.20 ± 0.02 mg/100g, while Cd was not detected. These findings suggest that the oil maintains high purity and meets safety standards for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use. The presence of Zn and Cu enhances the oil's antimicrobial and wound-healing properties, while the low Fe content contributes to its oxidative stability, making it suitable for prolonged storage. Furthermore, the study highlights the potential applications of castor seed oil in biofuel production, industrial lubricants, and biodegradable materials, demonstrating its economic and environmental significance.

Keywords
Castor seed oil Ricinus communis mineral analysis iron in castor oil zinc in castor oil copper in castor oil cadmium detection AAS analysis.
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