Sodium ricinoleate explained

Sodium ricinoleate is the sodium salt of ricinoleic acid, the principal fatty acid derived from castor oil. It is used in making soap, where its molecular structure causes it to lather more easily than comparable sodium soaps derived from fatty acids. It is a bactericide. It exhibits several polymorphic structural phases.

As a surfactant, sodium ricinoleate is an irritant to human skin and mucous membranes, causing hypersensitivity responses. These are due to castor bean constituents, which can be removed in order to prepare it as a food-grade ingredient.

Sodium ricinoleate was a constituent in toothpaste and was the 'SR' of Gibbs SR toothpaste, the first product to be advertised on British TV (in 1955).

Citations

• Book: Dunn, Kevin M.. Scientific Soapmaking: The Chemistry of the Cold Process. 2010. Clavicula Press. 5 February 2013. 9781935652090.
• Sodium Ricinoleate: Its Possible Value in the Prevention and Treatment of Peritonitis. Annals of Surgery. Sam F.. Seeley. September 1932. 96. 3. 350–8. 1391690. . 10.1097/00000658-193209000-00004. 17866830.
• Toxicology and pharmacology of sodium ricinoleate. Food and Chemical Toxicology. Oct 2006. 44. 10. 1689–98. Burdock. GA. Carabin. IG. Griffiths. JC. 10.1016/j.fct.2006.05.007. . 16831502.
• Liquid Crystals. 17. 5. 1994. The thermotropic liquid crystals formed by anhydrous sodium ricinoleate. 10.1080/02678299408037333. K.S.. Narayana. Neeta. Shindeab. Gordon J. T.. Tiddy. Michael C.. Holmes. 617–28. .