Optimization and Characterization of Castor Seed Oil

The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the dilution level and agitation time for castor oil extraction. The % recovery of oil was investigated with respect to two variable including dilution level (X1) and agitation time (X2). As a result, a polynomial regression model equation was fitted as follows: Y1 = 47.50 + 7.41 x1 + 2.08 x2 + 0.63 x1 x2 -16.62 x12 - 2.87 x2. The optimal dilution level and agitation time were found to be 7.3 and 2.38 hr respectively. The maximum extraction was found to be 48.75%. The characterization analysis revealed that tested parameters, which include specific gravity, acid value, viscosity, saponification value and iodine value results of castor oil produced, were compared with the ASTM standard specifications.