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Kusum oilis a type of oil extracted from the seed of the Kusum tree (Schleichera oleosa). The plant, which is also commonly known asCeylon oak, lac tree, orMacassar oiltree,[1] belongs to the familySapindaceae. The genus is named after J. C. Schleicher, a Swiss botanist, and the species name means "oily"[2] or "rich in oil." The tree is native toSouth Asia, but is also found in some parts ofSoutheast Asia.
The bunches of fruit are plucked by climbing theSchleichera oleosa trees. The fruit pulp is removed by rubbing the fruits in water, and letting them dry.
The oil containsoleic acid (2-3%),stearic acid (2-6%),gadoleic acid, andarachidic acid as well ascyanogenic compounds, which must be removed for human consumption. Kusum oil is unusual, with just 37% of commonglycerol esters. The oil also containslinoleic acid (43-50%),palmitic acid (5-8%), andhydrocyanic acid, which is poisonous and must also be removed prior to consumption. The oil is yellowish brown, semi-solid, with the faint odour ofbitter almond. When allowed to settle, a light coloured solid fat separates.[3] Kusum oil contains a cyanogenic compound in concentration of 0.03-0.05% as HCN. But the exact location of the cyanogenic compound in the oil or its nature has not been reported.
| Property | Value[4] |
| Moisture and insoluble impurities | 0.25 |
| Refractive Index at 50 °C | 4.4560-1.460 |
| Specific gravityat 90°/30 °C | 0.865-0.869 |
| Saponification value | 220-240 |
| Iodine value(Wijs) | 48-60 |
| Acid value, max | 10.0 |
| Unsaponifiable matter% by Wt | 3.0 |
| Titer value °C, min | 45 |
| Reichert-Meissel value | 15-20 |
| Polenske value, max | 1.5 |
Fatty acid composition[5]
| Fatty acid | Percent |
| Myristic acid (C14:0) | 0.01 |
| Palmitic acid (C16:0) | 7.59 |
| Palmitoleic acid(C16:1) | 1.80 |
| Oleic acid (C18:1) | 2.83 |
| trans-Linoleic acid (C18:2) | 49.69 |
| cis-Linoleic acid (C18:2) | 5.56 |
| α-Linolenic acid (C18:3) | 0.26 |
| Eicosenoic acid (C20:1) | 29.54 |
| Eicosadienoic acid (C20:2) | 0.24 |
| Behenic acid (C22:0) | 1.14 |
| Erucic acid (C22:1) | 1.22 |
| Lignoceric acid (C24:0) | 0.03 |
Kusum oil is used inhairdressing. The oil can also be used forcooking and lighting, and is used in traditional medicine. It is used as massage oil to relieve pain.
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