LAUSR

Abstract Castor is an important oil crop for bioenergy production and other valuable applications. NIAB Gold is first mutant variety of Pakistan developed by using gamma radiation. In this study, the oil was extracted from this new castor variety and was used for biodiesel production and as bio-pesticide. Due to high viscosity of castor oil, it was first refined with hot water degumming process. The degummed oil was used for biodiesel production in which important process parameters have been optimized. Maximum biodiesel yield (85%) was obtained by using 5:1 methanol to oil ratio, 3% catalyst dose, 70 ᵒC reaction temperature and 400 rpm stirring speed. The synthesized biodiesel was characterized by determining its important physico-chemical properties including specific gravity, viscosity, calorific value, acid value, iodine value, cetane number etc. Extracted castor oil was also tested as bio-pesticide against two insect species; Tribolium castaneum and Trogoderma granarium. By using 15% castor oil concentration and 72 h of exposure time, maximum larvicidal effect recorded against Tribolium castaneum was 32.17% and for Trogoderma granarium, it was found to be and 23.85%. LC50 values for Tribolium castaneum were also determined at different exposure times. The study results indicated that the NIAB Gold castor oil biodiesel meets the ASTM standards and NIAB Gold castor oil has good potential as bio-pesticide to control harmful insect pests.