The utilization of an appropriate collector or surfactant is crucial for the beneficiation of low-rank coal.However,in previous studies,the selection of surfactants was primarily based on flotation procedures,which hi...The utilization of an appropriate collector or surfactant is crucial for the beneficiation of low-rank coal.However,in previous studies,the selection of surfactants was primarily based on flotation procedures,which hinders the understanding of the interaction mechanism between surfactant groups and oxygen-containing functional groups at the surface of low-rank coal.In this study,we investigate the flotation of low-rank coal in the presence of a composite collector by using a combined theoretical and experimental approach.The maximum flotation mass recovery achieved was 82.89%using a 3:1 mixture of dodecane and castor oil acid.Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses showed that castor oil acid was effectively adsorbed onto the surface of low-rank coal,enhancing the hydrophobicity of the coal.In addition,the diffusion coefficient of water molecules in the water-composite collector-coal system was greater than that in the dodecane system.Moreover,due to the presence of castor oil acid in the flotation process,the adsorption distance of dodecane and low-rank coal became shorter.Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the diffusion and interaction of surfactant molecules at the interface of low-rank coal particles and water was enhanced because the adsorption of the dodecane-castor oil acid mixture is primarily controlled by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic attraction.Based on these results,a better surfactant for flotation of low-rank coal is also proposed.展开更多
Wastewater containing high concentrations of phenol and sodium sulfate is generated in sebacic acid (SA) industry. Castor oil acid, a raw material for producing SA, can be used to extract phenol from wastewater in o...Wastewater containing high concentrations of phenol and sodium sulfate is generated in sebacic acid (SA) industry. Castor oil acid, a raw material for producing SA, can be used to extract phenol from wastewater in order to reduce the amount of phenol used in the process and discharge of phenol. The results show that the extrac- tion mechanism is that hydroxyl group of phenol is linked to carboxyl group of castor oil acid by hydrogen bond. The extraction process approaches equilibrium in 30 min. Extraction ratio increases with the increase of sodium sulfate and castor oil acid, and decreases as phenol increases. When the oil-water ratio is 1 : 3, the optimal distribu- tion coefficient of 40 is obtained. Phenol saturation concentration in castor oil acid is 1.03 mol.L-1 after extraction for 4 times. The equilibrium constant (Kex) at 25℃ is 8.41 and the endothermic enthalpy (AH) is 1.513 kJ.mo1-1. The Gibbs free energy (AG) is -5.277 kJ. tool-1 and the value of AS is calculated to be 22.3 J. mo1-1. K-1.展开更多
Coula edulis is non-timber forest product (NTFP) used in Africa for its hazelnuts, which contain edible seeds with a demonstrated nutritional potential. However, there have been very few scientific studies of this spe...Coula edulis is non-timber forest product (NTFP) used in Africa for its hazelnuts, which contain edible seeds with a demonstrated nutritional potential. However, there have been very few scientific studies of this species in the Republic of Congo. Thus, the aim of the current study was therefore to determine the fatty acid composition of the oil extracted from Coula edulis hazelnut seeds collected at random in the Republic of Congo. The oil was extracted using the Soxhlet method and its fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The extracted oil from Coula edulis hazelnut kernels is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (95.28%), particularly oleic acid (94.5%), which classifies it as an oleic oil and gives it interesting nutritional and therapeutic properties. On the other hand, saturated fatty acids (4.15%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (0.35%) are not well represented. Its low poly-unsaturated fatty acid content makes it more stable when stored at room temperature.展开更多
Background Reducing Salmonella infection in broiler chickens by using effective and safe alternatives to antibiotics is vital to provide safer poultry meat and minimize the emergence of drug-resistant Salmonella and t...Background Reducing Salmonella infection in broiler chickens by using effective and safe alternatives to antibiotics is vital to provide safer poultry meat and minimize the emergence of drug-resistant Salmonella and the spread of salmonellosis to humans.This study was to first evaluate the protective efficacy of feeding coated essential oils and organic acids mixture(EOA)on broiler chickens infected with Salmonella Enteritidis(S.Enteritidis,SE),and then its action mechanism was further explored.Methods A total of 4801-day-old Arbor Acres male chickens were randomly assigned into five treatments with six replicates,including non-challenged control fed with basal diet(A),SE-challenged control(B),and SE-infected birds fed a basal diet with 300 mg/kg of EOA(BL),500 mg/kg of EOA(BM)and 800 mg/kg of EOA(BH),respectively.All birds on challenged groups were infected with Salmonella Enteritidis on d 13.Results Feeding EOA showed a reversed ability on negative effects caused by SE infection,as evidenced by decreasing the feed conversion rate(FCR)and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth(VH/CD)(P<0.05),obviously decreasing intestinal and internal organs Salmonella load along with increasing cecal butyric acid-producing bacteria abundance(P<0.05).Moreover,supplemental different levels of EOA notably up-regulated claudin-1(CLDN-1),occludin(OCLN),zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),mucin-2(MUC-2),fatty acid binding protein-2(FABP-2),nuclear factor kappa-light-chainenhancer of activated B cells(NF-κB),myeloid differential protein-88(MyD88)and interleukin-6(IL-6)mRNA levels in the ileum of the infected chickens after challenge,whereas down-regulated toll-like receptor-4(TLR-4)mRNA levels(P<0.05).Linear discriminant analysis combined effect size measurements analysis(LEfSe)showed that the relative abundance of g_Butyricicoccus,g_Anaerotruncus and g_unclassified_f_Bacillaceae significantly was enriched in infected birds given EOA.Also,phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states(PICRUSt)analysis showed that alpha-linolenic acid metabolism,fatty acid metabolism and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids were significantly enriched in the EOA group.Conclusion Our data suggest that the essential oils and organic acids mixture can be used as an effective strategy to ameliorate and alleviate Salmonella Enteritidis infection in broilers.展开更多
The objective of this study is to determine the factors responsible for the acidification of Burundi palm oils. The investigation of the duration of fermentation of palm fruits performed among artisanal producers foun...The objective of this study is to determine the factors responsible for the acidification of Burundi palm oils. The investigation of the duration of fermentation of palm fruits performed among artisanal producers found that more than 89% of producers from commune of Rumonge ferment for more than 5 days while more than 61% of those from commune of Mutimbuzi ferment for 4 days. The determination of acid value using the method of ISO 660:2009 showed that Dura and Tenera varieties fermented for 4 days had respectively 5.9 ± 2.3 and 5.8 ± 1.8 mg of KOH/g of oil for clustered fruits, 7.03 ± 3.4 and 7.02 ± 3.2 mg of KOH/g for destemmed fruits. After 8 days, the acid values of Dura and Tenera varieties obtained were respectively 10.9 ± 4.7 and 12.5 ± 5.4 mg KOH/g for clustered fruits, 12.5 ± 5.4 and 12.5 ± 4.1 mg KOH/g for destemmed fruits. No significant difference was recorded between varieties. On the other hand, a highly significant difference at p < 0.05 was obtained between fruits fermented in the open air (e.g. around the foot of the oil palm, FFOA), in a shed when the fruits were not covered (SFNC) and in a shed when the fruits were covered by branches or straw (SFC). At 8 days of fermentation, the acid values of FFOA, SFNC and SFC were 9.1 ± 0.7 < 12.6 ± 0.8 < 17.7 ± 1.4 for destemmed fruit and 9.1 ± 0.7 < 13.2 ± 1.3 < 13.2 ± 3.2 for clustered fruit, respectively. In light of these results, the acidity of Rumonge palm oil is probably due to the long fermentation time and the technique of covering the fruits during fermentation. These results will allow producers to extract good quality oil and consequently improve the health of consumers.展开更多
The world’s total fossil fuel consumption has been significantly increasing with consequential increased environmental catastrophes. A hunt for an alternate energy source was stimulated. Biofuel is a plausible option...The world’s total fossil fuel consumption has been significantly increasing with consequential increased environmental catastrophes. A hunt for an alternate energy source was stimulated. Biofuel is a plausible option in this pursuit due to its ideal qualities which included but are not limited to renewability and environmental friendliness. However, the pump price of biodiesel is still very high due mainly to the high cost of the production of the commodity which is influenced by the feedstock and the homogeneous nature of catalyst used. Heterogeneous catalyst was prepared by using Pila globosa sea snail shells prepared by calcination (CP8) and by acid activation (PTW1M). Hydnocapus weightiana seed oil (Non-edible feedstock) was extracted using the soxhlet extraction method and was used for biofuel production with a methanol oil ratio of 3:1. Agitation speed 800, 600 rmp, reaction temperatures of 70°C, 60°C, catalyst concentration (3.00, 2.00 wt%) and reaction time (70 and 60 min) was maintained for CP8 and PTW1M respectively. The rate of the reaction followed a reversible second-order reaction rate. Re-usability accessed. From TGA analysis, the best calcination temperature was 800°C. SEM results showed improved surface morphology after calcination, especially for CP8. FTIR analysis showed the elimination of volatiles and formation of CaO and CaO<sub>4</sub>Te after calcination. The reaction rate constant at different temperatures was 0.0287 at 30°C, 0.1200 at 50°C and 0.1142 at 70°C and activation energy of the ethyl ester was 49.49 KJ/mol. Using CP8. Most of the fuel properties met with ASTM 6751 standard. The result of the re-usability showed that the biodiesel yield declined as follows: 92, 86, 80, 73 and 69 % for CP8 and 85, 84, 81, 76, 65. For PTW1M. After the fifth regeneration cycle, both CP8 and PTW1M samples of Pila globosa sea snail shell catalyst proved effective in transesterification reaction of Hydnocapus weightiana seed oil using ethanol. It was observed that the calcined catalyst (CP8) showed a superior catalytic performance.展开更多
Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, and obesity and the metabolic syndrome are risk factors for its development. One of the therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk is th...Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, and obesity and the metabolic syndrome are risk factors for its development. One of the therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk is the use of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In Brazil, a source of such acid is the oil extracted from the fat of the capybara. The objective of this work is to study the effects of the capybara oil on lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as its effects on the adipose tissue and cardiac remodeling. We assessed the effects of capybara oil treatment on body mass, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, systolic blood pressure, adipose tissue and cardiac remodeling, and performed an ultrastructural evaluation of the myocardium in C57Bl/6 mice treated with high-fat diet. Treatment with capybara oil reduced total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, systolic blood pressure, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, and adipocyte diameter. In addition, cardiac remodeling was attenuated, preserving cardiomyocytes, increasing vascularization, reducing cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the extracellular matrix, and preserving the morphological integrity of mitochondria. Capybara oil has several beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and metabolic system, and further studies are needed to better understand its role in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.展开更多
Background:The poultry industry is in need of effective antibiotic alternatives to control outbreaks of necrotic enteritis(NE)due to Clostridium perfringens.In the present study,we investigated the effects of dietary ...Background:The poultry industry is in need of effective antibiotic alternatives to control outbreaks of necrotic enteritis(NE)due to Clostridium perfringens.In the present study,we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with a blend of encapsulated essential oils and organic acids(BLJ)on growth performance and gut health using a coinfection model of NE in broiler chickens.Methods:Two hundred and eighty-eight one-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned using a 2×2 factorial design into two groups fed either 0 or 500 mg/kg dietary BLJ and co-challenged(or not challenged for the control)with Eimeria spp./C.perfringens.Results:Infected birds fed the BLJ-supplemented diet exhibited an improved feed conversion ratio throughout the trial(P<0.01),a higher villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio,and reduced intestinal C.perfringens counts,liver C.perfringens carriage,gut lesion scores and serum fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran(FITC-D)concentrations at 7 d postinfection compared with those of birds without BLJ supplementation(P<0.05).NE-infected birds fed BLJ exhibited significantly upregulated claudin-1 and IGF-2 mRNA levels(P<0.05),increased A20 mRNA expression and significantly downregulated TRAF-6,TNFSF15 and TOLLIP mRNA levels in the jejunum at 7 d post-infection compared with those in birds without BLJ supplementation(P<0.05).Compared with the uninfected and untreated birds,the uninfected birds fed BLJ displayed increased relative abundances of Lactobacillus and Coprococcus but reduced Rikenellaceae levels.Compared with the unsupplemented NE-challenged birds,infected birds fed BLJ showed an increased relative abundance of Unclassified_Lachnospiraceae and a significantly decreased relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae.Conclusion:BLJ supplementation improved growth performance and gut health in NE-infected broiler chickens by strengthening the intestinal barrier function,positively modulating the gut microbiota community and differentially regulating intestinal immune responses.Our results also suggested that adding BLJ effectively controlled NE infections after experimental Eimeria and Clostridium perfringens coinfection.展开更多
The short-term corrosion behavior of API X100 steel in an acidic simulated soil was investigated by electrochemical measurements and soaking experiments,followed by corrosion morphology observations and X-ray photoele...The short-term corrosion behavior of API X100 steel in an acidic simulated soil was investigated by electrochemical measurements and soaking experiments,followed by corrosion morphology observations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses.The results show that X100 steel exhibits an obvious pitting susceptibility in an acidic soil environment.Pits nucleate after approximately 10 h of immersion.Along with the nucleation and growth of the pits,the charge-transfer resistance and open-circuit potential first increase sharply,then decrease slowly,and eventually reach a steady state.The maxima of the charge-transfer resistance and open-circuit potential are attained at approximately 10 h.The evolution of the electrochemical process is confirmed by the analysis of the product film.The product film exhibits a porous and loose structure and could not protect the substrate well.The product film is primarily composed of ferrous carbonate and ferrous hydroxide(Fe(OH)2).The concentration of Fe(OH)2 in the product film increases from the inside to the outside layer.展开更多
In this work, free tall oil fatty acids were epoxidized with in-situ generated peroxyacetic acid. Reaction kineticsof epoxidation was investigated by oxirane content and iodine value titrimetric determination, as well...In this work, free tall oil fatty acids were epoxidized with in-situ generated peroxyacetic acid. Reaction kineticsof epoxidation was investigated by oxirane content and iodine value titrimetric determination, as well as FTIRspectra analysis. A highly functional biobased polyol was synthesized by functionalizing epoxidized tall oilfatty acids with triethanolamine using Montmorillonite K10 as a catalyst. The obtained polyol was analyzed byFTIR and MALDI-TOF MS. The most common chemical and physical characteristics of obtained polyol weredetermined.展开更多
High-oleic acid peanut oil(HOPO)and extra-virgin olive oil(EVOO)have been reported previously to have an attenuating effect on metabolic syndrome(MS).This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic effect of HOPO and EVOO ...High-oleic acid peanut oil(HOPO)and extra-virgin olive oil(EVOO)have been reported previously to have an attenuating effect on metabolic syndrome(MS).This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic effect of HOPO and EVOO supplementation in attenuating MS and the role of gut microbiota in regulating the metabolic profile.Sprague-Dawley rats were continuously fed with a normal diet,high-fructose and high-fat(HFHF)diet,HFHF diet containing HOPO,or a HFHF diet containing EVOO for 12 weeks.The metabolomics profiles of feces and serum samples were compared using untargeted metabolomics based on UPLC-Q/TOF-MS.Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis(PLS-DA)was used to identify the potential fecal and serum biomarkers from different groups.Correlation between gut microbiota and biomarkers was assessed,and pathway analysis of serum biomarkers was conducted.Differences in metabolic patterns in feces and serum were observed among different groups.There were 8 and 12 potential biomarkers in feces and 15 and 6 potential biomarkers in serum of HOPO group and EVOO group,respectively,suggesting that HOPO and EVOO supplementation mainly altered amino acids,peptides,and their analogs in feces and serum.The branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)biosynthesis pathway was identified as a major pathway regulated by HOPO or EVOO.This study suggests that HOPO and EVOO supplementation ameliorate diet-induced MS,mainly via modulation of the BCAAs biosynthesis pathway.展开更多
In this study, petroleum acids were extracted from the super-heavy oil of Liaohe oilfield, North-east China, by using acetic acid, and their structural components and properties were investigated by using FT-IR and MS...In this study, petroleum acids were extracted from the super-heavy oil of Liaohe oilfield, North-east China, by using acetic acid, and their structural components and properties were investigated by using FT-IR and MS. Moreover, the trace metal contents in the super-heavy oil sample before and after acetic acid treatment were also measured in this work. The results showed that naphthenic acids were the main component of petroleum acids in Liaohe super-heavy oil, and the content of naphthenic acids with double rings was higher than that of other naphthenic acids. It can be concluded that petroleum acids in Liaohe super-heavy oil mainly consist of naphthenic acids, with a carbon number of around 11–69 and containing one to six naphthenic rings and/or one to two aromatic rings, and mainly exists in form of metal salts of petroleum acid. The molecular weight of petroleum acids is in the range of 190–1000.展开更多
Hydrolysis of olive oil catalyzed by Candida lipolytica lipase was investigated. The relative concentration of the components in the product was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Furt...Hydrolysis of olive oil catalyzed by Candida lipolytica lipase was investigated. The relative concentration of the components in the product was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Furthermore, a novel rapid method to detect the hydrolytic process of olive oil was developed based on the relationship between the acid value and the relative concentration of the different components.展开更多
High acidity crude oils have an advantage over normal oils in terms of their price,but can cause corrosion and refinery problems.They are the so-called opportunity crudes and likely to be important reserved resources ...High acidity crude oils have an advantage over normal oils in terms of their price,but can cause corrosion and refinery problems.They are the so-called opportunity crudes and likely to be important reserved resources in the 21st century.Researches on high acidity crude oils are becoming more and more profound.Based on the existing research achievements,this article has given an overview of the chemical composition and acid distribution of high acidity oils,and also analyzed their origin types and potential influence factors.展开更多
The molecular structure of phospholipids can be changed enzymatically to obtain different tailor-made phospholipids. Incorporation of ω-3 fatty acids into phospholipids structure increased their oxidative stability, ...The molecular structure of phospholipids can be changed enzymatically to obtain different tailor-made phospholipids. Incorporation of ω-3 fatty acids into phospholipids structure increased their oxidative stability, suggesting more health beneficial phospholipids. This study aimed to optimize eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) incorporation into phospholipids structure by acidolysis reaction using free lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) from Rhizomucor miehei. Deoiled soy lecithin from anjasmoro variety was used as phospholipids source, while ω-3 fatty acid enriched oil was used as acyl source. Oil enriched with ω-3 fatty acids was obtained from low temperature solvent crystallization of lemuru (Sardinella longiceps) by-product. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used in this study to determine the relationship between the three factors (enzyme concentration, reaction time and substrate ratio) and their effects on EPA incorporation into soy lecithin structure. The results showed that the relation between EPA content with three factors (reaction time, enzyme concentration and substrate ratio) was quadratic. The significant factors were substrate ratio and reaction time. Optimum conditions at a ratio of 3.77:1 between ω-3 fatty acids enriched oil and soy lecithin, 30% lipase concentration, and 24.08 h reaction time, gave 22.81% of EPA content of structured phospholipids.展开更多
In well stimulation treatments using hydrochloric acid,undesirable water-in-oil emulsion and acid sludge may produce and then cause operational problems in oil field development.The processes intensify in the presence...In well stimulation treatments using hydrochloric acid,undesirable water-in-oil emulsion and acid sludge may produce and then cause operational problems in oil field development.The processes intensify in the presence of Fe(Ⅲ),which are from the corroded surfaces of field equipment and/or iron-bearing minerals of the oil reservoir.In order to understand the reasons of the stability of acid emulsions,acid emulsions were prepared by mixing crude oil emulsion with 15% hydrochloric acid solutions with and without Fe(Ⅲ) and then separated into free and upper(water free) and intermediate(with water) layers.It is assumed that the oil phase of the free and upper layers contains the compounds which do not participate in the formation of acid emulsions,and the oil phase of the intermediate layers contains components involved in the formation of oil/acid interface.The composition of the oil phase of each layer of the emulsions was studied.It is found that the asphaltenes with a high content of sulfur,oxygen and metals as well the flocculated material of protonated non-polar oil components are concentrated at the oil/acid interface.In addition to the above,in the presence of Fe(Ⅲ) the Fe(Ⅲ)-based complexes with polar groups of asphaltenes are formed at the acid/oil interface,contributing to the formation of armor films which enhance the emulsion stability.展开更多
In this study, production of ct-linoleic acid concentrated from crude perilla oil by gradient cooling urea inclusion was optimized. The fatty acid composition was determined after ethyl esterification by gas chromatog...In this study, production of ct-linoleic acid concentrated from crude perilla oil by gradient cooling urea inclusion was optimized. The fatty acid composition was determined after ethyl esterification by gas chromatography (GC). In this process, orthogonal experiment was carried out. Under optimum conditions, the maximum amount of α-linoleic acid (91.5%) was obtained at a urea to fatty acid ratio of 3, a solvent to fatty acids ratio of 7, a reaction temperature of 348 K and a crystallization time of 690 min. A simple method of gradient cooling urea inclusion was used to purify α-linolenic acid by using urea to form inclusion complexes with the saturated and the less unsaturated fatty acids, which enhanced the purity of α-linoleic acid ethyl ester by above 90%.展开更多
Improved seed composition in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] for protein and oil quality is one of the major goals of soybean breeders. A group of genes that act as quantitative traits with their effects can alter pr...Improved seed composition in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] for protein and oil quality is one of the major goals of soybean breeders. A group of genes that act as quantitative traits with their effects can alter protein, oil, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids percentage in soybean seeds. The objective of this study was to identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) controlling protein, oil, and fatty acids content in a set of F5:8 RILs derived from a cross between lines, ‘MD 96-5722’ and ‘Spencer’ using 5376 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers from the Illumina Infinium SoySNP6K BeadChip array. QTL analysis used WinQTL Cart 2.5 software for composite interval mapping (CIM). Identified, were;one protein content QTL on linkage group (LG-) B2 or chromosome (Chr_) 14;11 QTL associated with oil content on six linkage groups LG-N (Chr_3), LG-A1 (Chr_5), LG-K (Chr_9), LG-F (Chr_13), LG-B2 (Chr_14), and LG-J (Chr_16);and sixteen QTL for five major fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids) on LG-N (Chr_3), LG-F (Chr_13), LG-B2 (Chr_14), LG-E (Chr_15), LG-J (Chr_16), and LG-G (Chr_18). The SNP markers closely linked to the QTL reported here will be useful for development of cultivars with altered oil and fatty acid compositions in soybean breeding programs.展开更多
Preparation of biodiesel from waste oils containing 72% of free fatty acids catalyzed by a novel Br?nsted acidic ionic liquid 1-sulfobutyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrosulfate([BHSO_3MIM][HSO_4]) was systematically invest...Preparation of biodiesel from waste oils containing 72% of free fatty acids catalyzed by a novel Br?nsted acidic ionic liquid 1-sulfobutyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrosulfate([BHSO_3MIM][HSO_4]) was systematically investigated.The optimum molar ratio of methanol to waste oils,catalyst amount,reaction temperature and reaction time were 8/1,10%(based on the mass of waste oils),140°C and 6 h,respectively,under which the obtained yield of biodiesel reached 94.9%.Also,[BHSO_3MIM][HSO_4] as a catalyst still retained around 97% of its original catalytic activity after successive re-use of 5 batches(6 h per batch),showing the excellent operational stability.Moreover,the acidic IL [BHSO_3MIM][HSO_4] was able to ef ficiently catalyze conversions of waste oils with different amounts of FFAs(free fatty acids) into biodiesel,and showed tremendous application potential.Therefore,an ef ficient and environmentally friendly catalyst is provided for the synthesis of biodiesel from waste oils with high acid value.展开更多
This paper reports on the assessment of the quality and quantity of castor oil from castor seeds collected from different regions in Tanzania. The castor seeds from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera and Mo...This paper reports on the assessment of the quality and quantity of castor oil from castor seeds collected from different regions in Tanzania. The castor seeds from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera and Morogoro regions in Tanzania were extracted by Soxhlet method using n-hexane and the oil yields were determined. The yields were 52.78%, 49.95%, 47.89%, 44.23%, 43.71% and 43.69% for Dodoma, Arusha, Iringa, Morogoro, Kagera and Dar es Salaam respectively. The physico-chemical parameters that were determined were refractive index (1.468 - 1.473), pH 5.7- 6.3, viscosity (0.943 - 0.954), specific gravity (165.50 - 187.46 mg KOH/g Oil), saponification value (76.68 - 80 mg KOH/g Oil), iodine value (76.68 - 80.12 g I2/100 g Oil), acid value (0.44 - 1.97 mg NaOH/g Oil), free fatty acid (0.22 - 0.99) and peroxide value (10.79 - 13.73). Fatty acid profile of castor oil was analysed using Shimadzu GCMS and ricinoleic acid ranged from 83.5% to 92.3% of the total fatty acids in the castor oils.展开更多
基金the Foundation of Guizhou Province(No.Qiankehe-ZK[2021]Yiban 255)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52264032)the Foundation of Liupanshui Normal University(No.LPSSYLPY202122).
文摘The utilization of an appropriate collector or surfactant is crucial for the beneficiation of low-rank coal.However,in previous studies,the selection of surfactants was primarily based on flotation procedures,which hinders the understanding of the interaction mechanism between surfactant groups and oxygen-containing functional groups at the surface of low-rank coal.In this study,we investigate the flotation of low-rank coal in the presence of a composite collector by using a combined theoretical and experimental approach.The maximum flotation mass recovery achieved was 82.89%using a 3:1 mixture of dodecane and castor oil acid.Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses showed that castor oil acid was effectively adsorbed onto the surface of low-rank coal,enhancing the hydrophobicity of the coal.In addition,the diffusion coefficient of water molecules in the water-composite collector-coal system was greater than that in the dodecane system.Moreover,due to the presence of castor oil acid in the flotation process,the adsorption distance of dodecane and low-rank coal became shorter.Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the diffusion and interaction of surfactant molecules at the interface of low-rank coal particles and water was enhanced because the adsorption of the dodecane-castor oil acid mixture is primarily controlled by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic attraction.Based on these results,a better surfactant for flotation of low-rank coal is also proposed.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21006057) and the National Science Foundation for Post-doctoral Scientists of China (20100470351).
文摘Wastewater containing high concentrations of phenol and sodium sulfate is generated in sebacic acid (SA) industry. Castor oil acid, a raw material for producing SA, can be used to extract phenol from wastewater in order to reduce the amount of phenol used in the process and discharge of phenol. The results show that the extrac- tion mechanism is that hydroxyl group of phenol is linked to carboxyl group of castor oil acid by hydrogen bond. The extraction process approaches equilibrium in 30 min. Extraction ratio increases with the increase of sodium sulfate and castor oil acid, and decreases as phenol increases. When the oil-water ratio is 1 : 3, the optimal distribu- tion coefficient of 40 is obtained. Phenol saturation concentration in castor oil acid is 1.03 mol.L-1 after extraction for 4 times. The equilibrium constant (Kex) at 25℃ is 8.41 and the endothermic enthalpy (AH) is 1.513 kJ.mo1-1. The Gibbs free energy (AG) is -5.277 kJ. tool-1 and the value of AS is calculated to be 22.3 J. mo1-1. K-1.
文摘Coula edulis is non-timber forest product (NTFP) used in Africa for its hazelnuts, which contain edible seeds with a demonstrated nutritional potential. However, there have been very few scientific studies of this species in the Republic of Congo. Thus, the aim of the current study was therefore to determine the fatty acid composition of the oil extracted from Coula edulis hazelnut seeds collected at random in the Republic of Congo. The oil was extracted using the Soxhlet method and its fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The extracted oil from Coula edulis hazelnut kernels is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (95.28%), particularly oleic acid (94.5%), which classifies it as an oleic oil and gives it interesting nutritional and therapeutic properties. On the other hand, saturated fatty acids (4.15%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (0.35%) are not well represented. Its low poly-unsaturated fatty acid content makes it more stable when stored at room temperature.
基金funded by Menon Animal Nutrition Technology Co.,Ltd.,Shanghai,China
文摘Background Reducing Salmonella infection in broiler chickens by using effective and safe alternatives to antibiotics is vital to provide safer poultry meat and minimize the emergence of drug-resistant Salmonella and the spread of salmonellosis to humans.This study was to first evaluate the protective efficacy of feeding coated essential oils and organic acids mixture(EOA)on broiler chickens infected with Salmonella Enteritidis(S.Enteritidis,SE),and then its action mechanism was further explored.Methods A total of 4801-day-old Arbor Acres male chickens were randomly assigned into five treatments with six replicates,including non-challenged control fed with basal diet(A),SE-challenged control(B),and SE-infected birds fed a basal diet with 300 mg/kg of EOA(BL),500 mg/kg of EOA(BM)and 800 mg/kg of EOA(BH),respectively.All birds on challenged groups were infected with Salmonella Enteritidis on d 13.Results Feeding EOA showed a reversed ability on negative effects caused by SE infection,as evidenced by decreasing the feed conversion rate(FCR)and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth(VH/CD)(P<0.05),obviously decreasing intestinal and internal organs Salmonella load along with increasing cecal butyric acid-producing bacteria abundance(P<0.05).Moreover,supplemental different levels of EOA notably up-regulated claudin-1(CLDN-1),occludin(OCLN),zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),mucin-2(MUC-2),fatty acid binding protein-2(FABP-2),nuclear factor kappa-light-chainenhancer of activated B cells(NF-κB),myeloid differential protein-88(MyD88)and interleukin-6(IL-6)mRNA levels in the ileum of the infected chickens after challenge,whereas down-regulated toll-like receptor-4(TLR-4)mRNA levels(P<0.05).Linear discriminant analysis combined effect size measurements analysis(LEfSe)showed that the relative abundance of g_Butyricicoccus,g_Anaerotruncus and g_unclassified_f_Bacillaceae significantly was enriched in infected birds given EOA.Also,phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states(PICRUSt)analysis showed that alpha-linolenic acid metabolism,fatty acid metabolism and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids were significantly enriched in the EOA group.Conclusion Our data suggest that the essential oils and organic acids mixture can be used as an effective strategy to ameliorate and alleviate Salmonella Enteritidis infection in broilers.
文摘The objective of this study is to determine the factors responsible for the acidification of Burundi palm oils. The investigation of the duration of fermentation of palm fruits performed among artisanal producers found that more than 89% of producers from commune of Rumonge ferment for more than 5 days while more than 61% of those from commune of Mutimbuzi ferment for 4 days. The determination of acid value using the method of ISO 660:2009 showed that Dura and Tenera varieties fermented for 4 days had respectively 5.9 ± 2.3 and 5.8 ± 1.8 mg of KOH/g of oil for clustered fruits, 7.03 ± 3.4 and 7.02 ± 3.2 mg of KOH/g for destemmed fruits. After 8 days, the acid values of Dura and Tenera varieties obtained were respectively 10.9 ± 4.7 and 12.5 ± 5.4 mg KOH/g for clustered fruits, 12.5 ± 5.4 and 12.5 ± 4.1 mg KOH/g for destemmed fruits. No significant difference was recorded between varieties. On the other hand, a highly significant difference at p < 0.05 was obtained between fruits fermented in the open air (e.g. around the foot of the oil palm, FFOA), in a shed when the fruits were not covered (SFNC) and in a shed when the fruits were covered by branches or straw (SFC). At 8 days of fermentation, the acid values of FFOA, SFNC and SFC were 9.1 ± 0.7 < 12.6 ± 0.8 < 17.7 ± 1.4 for destemmed fruit and 9.1 ± 0.7 < 13.2 ± 1.3 < 13.2 ± 3.2 for clustered fruit, respectively. In light of these results, the acidity of Rumonge palm oil is probably due to the long fermentation time and the technique of covering the fruits during fermentation. These results will allow producers to extract good quality oil and consequently improve the health of consumers.
文摘The world’s total fossil fuel consumption has been significantly increasing with consequential increased environmental catastrophes. A hunt for an alternate energy source was stimulated. Biofuel is a plausible option in this pursuit due to its ideal qualities which included but are not limited to renewability and environmental friendliness. However, the pump price of biodiesel is still very high due mainly to the high cost of the production of the commodity which is influenced by the feedstock and the homogeneous nature of catalyst used. Heterogeneous catalyst was prepared by using Pila globosa sea snail shells prepared by calcination (CP8) and by acid activation (PTW1M). Hydnocapus weightiana seed oil (Non-edible feedstock) was extracted using the soxhlet extraction method and was used for biofuel production with a methanol oil ratio of 3:1. Agitation speed 800, 600 rmp, reaction temperatures of 70°C, 60°C, catalyst concentration (3.00, 2.00 wt%) and reaction time (70 and 60 min) was maintained for CP8 and PTW1M respectively. The rate of the reaction followed a reversible second-order reaction rate. Re-usability accessed. From TGA analysis, the best calcination temperature was 800°C. SEM results showed improved surface morphology after calcination, especially for CP8. FTIR analysis showed the elimination of volatiles and formation of CaO and CaO<sub>4</sub>Te after calcination. The reaction rate constant at different temperatures was 0.0287 at 30°C, 0.1200 at 50°C and 0.1142 at 70°C and activation energy of the ethyl ester was 49.49 KJ/mol. Using CP8. Most of the fuel properties met with ASTM 6751 standard. The result of the re-usability showed that the biodiesel yield declined as follows: 92, 86, 80, 73 and 69 % for CP8 and 85, 84, 81, 76, 65. For PTW1M. After the fifth regeneration cycle, both CP8 and PTW1M samples of Pila globosa sea snail shell catalyst proved effective in transesterification reaction of Hydnocapus weightiana seed oil using ethanol. It was observed that the calcined catalyst (CP8) showed a superior catalytic performance.
文摘Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, and obesity and the metabolic syndrome are risk factors for its development. One of the therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk is the use of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In Brazil, a source of such acid is the oil extracted from the fat of the capybara. The objective of this work is to study the effects of the capybara oil on lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as its effects on the adipose tissue and cardiac remodeling. We assessed the effects of capybara oil treatment on body mass, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, systolic blood pressure, adipose tissue and cardiac remodeling, and performed an ultrastructural evaluation of the myocardium in C57Bl/6 mice treated with high-fat diet. Treatment with capybara oil reduced total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, systolic blood pressure, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, and adipocyte diameter. In addition, cardiac remodeling was attenuated, preserving cardiomyocytes, increasing vascularization, reducing cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the extracellular matrix, and preserving the morphological integrity of mitochondria. Capybara oil has several beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and metabolic system, and further studies are needed to better understand its role in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
基金This research was funded by the National Key Research and Development Plan(No.2107YFD0500506)the National Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest(20140304–07).
文摘Background:The poultry industry is in need of effective antibiotic alternatives to control outbreaks of necrotic enteritis(NE)due to Clostridium perfringens.In the present study,we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with a blend of encapsulated essential oils and organic acids(BLJ)on growth performance and gut health using a coinfection model of NE in broiler chickens.Methods:Two hundred and eighty-eight one-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned using a 2×2 factorial design into two groups fed either 0 or 500 mg/kg dietary BLJ and co-challenged(or not challenged for the control)with Eimeria spp./C.perfringens.Results:Infected birds fed the BLJ-supplemented diet exhibited an improved feed conversion ratio throughout the trial(P<0.01),a higher villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio,and reduced intestinal C.perfringens counts,liver C.perfringens carriage,gut lesion scores and serum fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran(FITC-D)concentrations at 7 d postinfection compared with those of birds without BLJ supplementation(P<0.05).NE-infected birds fed BLJ exhibited significantly upregulated claudin-1 and IGF-2 mRNA levels(P<0.05),increased A20 mRNA expression and significantly downregulated TRAF-6,TNFSF15 and TOLLIP mRNA levels in the jejunum at 7 d post-infection compared with those in birds without BLJ supplementation(P<0.05).Compared with the uninfected and untreated birds,the uninfected birds fed BLJ displayed increased relative abundances of Lactobacillus and Coprococcus but reduced Rikenellaceae levels.Compared with the unsupplemented NE-challenged birds,infected birds fed BLJ showed an increased relative abundance of Unclassified_Lachnospiraceae and a significantly decreased relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae.Conclusion:BLJ supplementation improved growth performance and gut health in NE-infected broiler chickens by strengthening the intestinal barrier function,positively modulating the gut microbiota community and differentially regulating intestinal immune responses.Our results also suggested that adding BLJ effectively controlled NE infections after experimental Eimeria and Clostridium perfringens coinfection.
基金financially supported by the National High-Tech Research and Development Program of China (No.2012AA040105)the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51131001 and 51741034)the Beijing Higher Education Young Elite Teacher Project
文摘The short-term corrosion behavior of API X100 steel in an acidic simulated soil was investigated by electrochemical measurements and soaking experiments,followed by corrosion morphology observations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses.The results show that X100 steel exhibits an obvious pitting susceptibility in an acidic soil environment.Pits nucleate after approximately 10 h of immersion.Along with the nucleation and growth of the pits,the charge-transfer resistance and open-circuit potential first increase sharply,then decrease slowly,and eventually reach a steady state.The maxima of the charge-transfer resistance and open-circuit potential are attained at approximately 10 h.The evolution of the electrochemical process is confirmed by the analysis of the product film.The product film exhibits a porous and loose structure and could not protect the substrate well.The product film is primarily composed of ferrous carbonate and ferrous hydroxide(Fe(OH)2).The concentration of Fe(OH)2 in the product film increases from the inside to the outside layer.
文摘In this work, free tall oil fatty acids were epoxidized with in-situ generated peroxyacetic acid. Reaction kineticsof epoxidation was investigated by oxirane content and iodine value titrimetric determination, as well as FTIRspectra analysis. A highly functional biobased polyol was synthesized by functionalizing epoxidized tall oilfatty acids with triethanolamine using Montmorillonite K10 as a catalyst. The obtained polyol was analyzed byFTIR and MALDI-TOF MS. The most common chemical and physical characteristics of obtained polyol weredetermined.
基金supported by the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Project of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS-ASTIP-201XIAPPST)the Top Young Talents of Grain Industry in China(LQ2020202)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32172149)。
文摘High-oleic acid peanut oil(HOPO)and extra-virgin olive oil(EVOO)have been reported previously to have an attenuating effect on metabolic syndrome(MS).This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic effect of HOPO and EVOO supplementation in attenuating MS and the role of gut microbiota in regulating the metabolic profile.Sprague-Dawley rats were continuously fed with a normal diet,high-fructose and high-fat(HFHF)diet,HFHF diet containing HOPO,or a HFHF diet containing EVOO for 12 weeks.The metabolomics profiles of feces and serum samples were compared using untargeted metabolomics based on UPLC-Q/TOF-MS.Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis(PLS-DA)was used to identify the potential fecal and serum biomarkers from different groups.Correlation between gut microbiota and biomarkers was assessed,and pathway analysis of serum biomarkers was conducted.Differences in metabolic patterns in feces and serum were observed among different groups.There were 8 and 12 potential biomarkers in feces and 15 and 6 potential biomarkers in serum of HOPO group and EVOO group,respectively,suggesting that HOPO and EVOO supplementation mainly altered amino acids,peptides,and their analogs in feces and serum.The branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)biosynthesis pathway was identified as a major pathway regulated by HOPO or EVOO.This study suggests that HOPO and EVOO supplementation ameliorate diet-induced MS,mainly via modulation of the BCAAs biosynthesis pathway.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20576075)
文摘In this study, petroleum acids were extracted from the super-heavy oil of Liaohe oilfield, North-east China, by using acetic acid, and their structural components and properties were investigated by using FT-IR and MS. Moreover, the trace metal contents in the super-heavy oil sample before and after acetic acid treatment were also measured in this work. The results showed that naphthenic acids were the main component of petroleum acids in Liaohe super-heavy oil, and the content of naphthenic acids with double rings was higher than that of other naphthenic acids. It can be concluded that petroleum acids in Liaohe super-heavy oil mainly consist of naphthenic acids, with a carbon number of around 11–69 and containing one to six naphthenic rings and/or one to two aromatic rings, and mainly exists in form of metal salts of petroleum acid. The molecular weight of petroleum acids is in the range of 190–1000.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos 20072011 and 20272017)
文摘Hydrolysis of olive oil catalyzed by Candida lipolytica lipase was investigated. The relative concentration of the components in the product was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Furthermore, a novel rapid method to detect the hydrolytic process of olive oil was developed based on the relationship between the acid value and the relative concentration of the different components.
文摘High acidity crude oils have an advantage over normal oils in terms of their price,but can cause corrosion and refinery problems.They are the so-called opportunity crudes and likely to be important reserved resources in the 21st century.Researches on high acidity crude oils are becoming more and more profound.Based on the existing research achievements,this article has given an overview of the chemical composition and acid distribution of high acidity oils,and also analyzed their origin types and potential influence factors.
文摘The molecular structure of phospholipids can be changed enzymatically to obtain different tailor-made phospholipids. Incorporation of ω-3 fatty acids into phospholipids structure increased their oxidative stability, suggesting more health beneficial phospholipids. This study aimed to optimize eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) incorporation into phospholipids structure by acidolysis reaction using free lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) from Rhizomucor miehei. Deoiled soy lecithin from anjasmoro variety was used as phospholipids source, while ω-3 fatty acid enriched oil was used as acyl source. Oil enriched with ω-3 fatty acids was obtained from low temperature solvent crystallization of lemuru (Sardinella longiceps) by-product. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used in this study to determine the relationship between the three factors (enzyme concentration, reaction time and substrate ratio) and their effects on EPA incorporation into soy lecithin structure. The results showed that the relation between EPA content with three factors (reaction time, enzyme concentration and substrate ratio) was quadratic. The significant factors were substrate ratio and reaction time. Optimum conditions at a ratio of 3.77:1 between ω-3 fatty acids enriched oil and soy lecithin, 30% lipase concentration, and 24.08 h reaction time, gave 22.81% of EPA content of structured phospholipids.
文摘In well stimulation treatments using hydrochloric acid,undesirable water-in-oil emulsion and acid sludge may produce and then cause operational problems in oil field development.The processes intensify in the presence of Fe(Ⅲ),which are from the corroded surfaces of field equipment and/or iron-bearing minerals of the oil reservoir.In order to understand the reasons of the stability of acid emulsions,acid emulsions were prepared by mixing crude oil emulsion with 15% hydrochloric acid solutions with and without Fe(Ⅲ) and then separated into free and upper(water free) and intermediate(with water) layers.It is assumed that the oil phase of the free and upper layers contains the compounds which do not participate in the formation of acid emulsions,and the oil phase of the intermediate layers contains components involved in the formation of oil/acid interface.The composition of the oil phase of each layer of the emulsions was studied.It is found that the asphaltenes with a high content of sulfur,oxygen and metals as well the flocculated material of protonated non-polar oil components are concentrated at the oil/acid interface.In addition to the above,in the presence of Fe(Ⅲ) the Fe(Ⅲ)-based complexes with polar groups of asphaltenes are formed at the acid/oil interface,contributing to the formation of armor films which enhance the emulsion stability.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (20871061)the National 973 Program of China (2008CB617512) for the financial support
文摘In this study, production of ct-linoleic acid concentrated from crude perilla oil by gradient cooling urea inclusion was optimized. The fatty acid composition was determined after ethyl esterification by gas chromatography (GC). In this process, orthogonal experiment was carried out. Under optimum conditions, the maximum amount of α-linoleic acid (91.5%) was obtained at a urea to fatty acid ratio of 3, a solvent to fatty acids ratio of 7, a reaction temperature of 348 K and a crystallization time of 690 min. A simple method of gradient cooling urea inclusion was used to purify α-linolenic acid by using urea to form inclusion complexes with the saturated and the less unsaturated fatty acids, which enhanced the purity of α-linoleic acid ethyl ester by above 90%.
文摘Improved seed composition in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] for protein and oil quality is one of the major goals of soybean breeders. A group of genes that act as quantitative traits with their effects can alter protein, oil, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids percentage in soybean seeds. The objective of this study was to identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) controlling protein, oil, and fatty acids content in a set of F5:8 RILs derived from a cross between lines, ‘MD 96-5722’ and ‘Spencer’ using 5376 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers from the Illumina Infinium SoySNP6K BeadChip array. QTL analysis used WinQTL Cart 2.5 software for composite interval mapping (CIM). Identified, were;one protein content QTL on linkage group (LG-) B2 or chromosome (Chr_) 14;11 QTL associated with oil content on six linkage groups LG-N (Chr_3), LG-A1 (Chr_5), LG-K (Chr_9), LG-F (Chr_13), LG-B2 (Chr_14), and LG-J (Chr_16);and sixteen QTL for five major fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids) on LG-N (Chr_3), LG-F (Chr_13), LG-B2 (Chr_14), LG-E (Chr_15), LG-J (Chr_16), and LG-G (Chr_18). The SNP markers closely linked to the QTL reported here will be useful for development of cultivars with altered oil and fatty acid compositions in soybean breeding programs.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21676104,21336002,21376096)the Open Funding Project of the State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineeringthe Program of State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering(2017ZD05)
文摘Preparation of biodiesel from waste oils containing 72% of free fatty acids catalyzed by a novel Br?nsted acidic ionic liquid 1-sulfobutyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrosulfate([BHSO_3MIM][HSO_4]) was systematically investigated.The optimum molar ratio of methanol to waste oils,catalyst amount,reaction temperature and reaction time were 8/1,10%(based on the mass of waste oils),140°C and 6 h,respectively,under which the obtained yield of biodiesel reached 94.9%.Also,[BHSO_3MIM][HSO_4] as a catalyst still retained around 97% of its original catalytic activity after successive re-use of 5 batches(6 h per batch),showing the excellent operational stability.Moreover,the acidic IL [BHSO_3MIM][HSO_4] was able to ef ficiently catalyze conversions of waste oils with different amounts of FFAs(free fatty acids) into biodiesel,and showed tremendous application potential.Therefore,an ef ficient and environmentally friendly catalyst is provided for the synthesis of biodiesel from waste oils with high acid value.
文摘This paper reports on the assessment of the quality and quantity of castor oil from castor seeds collected from different regions in Tanzania. The castor seeds from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera and Morogoro regions in Tanzania were extracted by Soxhlet method using n-hexane and the oil yields were determined. The yields were 52.78%, 49.95%, 47.89%, 44.23%, 43.71% and 43.69% for Dodoma, Arusha, Iringa, Morogoro, Kagera and Dar es Salaam respectively. The physico-chemical parameters that were determined were refractive index (1.468 - 1.473), pH 5.7- 6.3, viscosity (0.943 - 0.954), specific gravity (165.50 - 187.46 mg KOH/g Oil), saponification value (76.68 - 80 mg KOH/g Oil), iodine value (76.68 - 80.12 g I2/100 g Oil), acid value (0.44 - 1.97 mg NaOH/g Oil), free fatty acid (0.22 - 0.99) and peroxide value (10.79 - 13.73). Fatty acid profile of castor oil was analysed using Shimadzu GCMS and ricinoleic acid ranged from 83.5% to 92.3% of the total fatty acids in the castor oils.