Fatty Acid Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Castor ( Ricinus Communis L. ) Seed Obtained from Malete, Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State. Nigeria.

Abstract

The oil of the Ricinus communis L. seed was extracted by soxhlet method using N-hexane.The physicochemical characteristics of the castor oil were evaluated. The results showed that the castor seeds contain a relatively high percentage of total lipids content ; 47.8 % ,  iodine value ( 1.061 g/g ) , and saponification value ( 327.4 g/g ). The seed oil moisture content , acid value , density and free fatty acid ( % FFA ) were 0.3 % , 14.42 mg/g , 880 g/cm 3 and 7.21 % , respectively. K eywords : Physicochemical properties ; Ricinus communis L ; Soxhlet method ; N-hexane ; Free fatty acid ; saponification value