See resources for the A-Z of plant oils > A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Other Plant Oil Uses

This page provides inputs and links on the plant oils uses and applications in areas other than in the main application areas of food, medicine/heathcare, cosmetics & as fuel.

The main application areas discussed in this section are:

• Plant Oils in Insecticides & Pesticides
• Plant Oils in Coolants & Lubricants
• Plant Oils in Inks & Coatings
• Other uses

Plant Oils as Insecticides & Pesticides

Credits: A significant portion of this section (Plant Oils as Insecticides & Pesticides) was derived from Wikipedia contents on the same topic, and hence the contents of this section are available under the GPL Documentation License. We’ve somehow been unable to locate the URL of the Wikipedia page from where we adapted the contents, once we find it we will give a link to the page!

Introduction

Current attitudes in the world concerning food safety and environmental quality have raised the general public's interest in alternative (non-synthetic pesticide) pest controls.

Botanical Insecticides and Insecticidal Soaps

Botanical insecticides and insecticidal soaps are naturally occurring insecticidal compounds derived from plants. They are processed into various forms which include:

• Preparations of crude plant material
• Plant extracts or resins, and
• Pure chemicals isolated from plants

Botanical insecticides and insecticidal soaps are promising alternatives for use in insect management. However, like conventional synthetic insecticides, botanicals and insecticidal soaps have advantages and disadvantages and should be judged accordingly. Even though botanicals and insecticidal soaps are naturally derived and are relatively safe if used properly, they are poisons and should be handled with the same caution as synthetic insecticides.

Advantages

• Rapid Degradation - less persistence in environment and reduced risks to non-target organisms. May be applied shortly before harvest without leaving excessive residues.
• Rapid Action - act very quickly to stop feeding by pest insects. They may not cause death for hours or days, but they often cause immediate paralysis or cessation of feeding.
• Low Mammalian Toxicity - most botanicals and insecticidal soaps have low to moderate mammalian toxicity.
• Selectivity - in the field, their rapid degradation and action as stomach poisons make them more selective in some instances for plant-feeding pest insects and less harmful to beneficial insects.
• Low Toxicity to Plants - most botanicals are not phytotoxic (toxic to plants). Insecticidal soaps and nicotine sulfate, however, may be phytotoxic to some ornamentals.

Disadvantages

• Rapid Degradation - this characteristic, although desirable in some respects, creates a need for more precise timing or more frequent applications.
• Toxicity - all toxins used in pest control pose some hazard to the user and to the environment.
• Cost and availability - botanicals tend to be more expensive than synthetics, and some are not as widely available.
• Lack of Test Data - data on effectiveness and long-term (chronic) toxicity are unavailable for some botanicals, and tolerances for some have not been established.

Types of Botanical Insecticides

• Pyrethrum and Pyrethrins - Pyrethrum is the powdered dried flower head of the pyrethrum daisy, Chrysanthemum cinerariefolium. Most of the world's pyrethrum crop is grown in Kenya. The term "pyrethrins" refers to the six related [insecticidal compounds that occur naturally in the crude material. Note: Pyrethroids are not botanical insecticides. They are synthetic compounds that are based on the chemical structure. etc. of natural pyrethrins.
• Rotenone - Rotenone occurs in the roots of Lonchocarpus species in South America, Derris species in Asia, and several other related tropical legumes. It is also used in fish management programs.
• Sabadilla - Sabadilla is derived from the ripe seeds of Schoenocaulon officinale, a tropical lily plant which grows in Central and South America.
• Ryania - Ryania comes from the woody stems of Ryania speciosa, a South American shrub.
• Nicotine - Nicotine is a simple alkaloid derived from tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, and other Nicotiana species. Insecticidal formulations generally contain nicotine in the form of 40 percent nicotine sulfate and are currently imported in small quantities from India.
• Citrus Oil Extracts: Limonene and Linalool - Crude citrus oils and refined compounds are extracted from orange and other citrus fruit peels.
• Other Essential Plant Oils: Repellents and Insecticides - The most common essential oils are the oils of cedar, lavender, eucalyptus, pennyroyal and citronella.
• Neem - Neem products are derived from the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, that grows in arid tropical and subtropical regions on several continents. The active ingredient is both a feeding deterrent and a growth regulator.

• Insecticidal Soaps

• Insecticidal soaps generally are not considered to be botanical insecticides, although the oils from which they are produced may be of plant origin. In general terms, insecticidal soaps are made from the salts of fatty acids. Oleic acid, present in olive oil and other vegetable oils, is especially effective. Caution: Homemade soap spray "recipes" can be dangerous and harmful, calling for cleaning agents, fuel oils, polishes, solvents, and other materials that are toxic to plants and many animals (including humans).

Pesticides Made with Botanical Oils and Extracts

The plant oils described here are complex mixtures of natural substances made by plants. Oils such as lemon, orange, mustard, and anise give fruits and seeds their characteristic odor and taste. Botanical oils are derived from various parts of the plants, such as flowers, fruits, leaves, and wood. The oils are used as pesticides to repel certain animals and insects, and to kill certain insects. Sometimes the chemicals in the oil, as well as the oil itself, are registered as pesticide active ingredients. It is also fairly common for two or more oils to be used in the same commercial product.

Many botanical oils are found in common foods, and many are approved as food flavorings by FDA. However, some botanical pesticides can be quite toxic to humans and should not be used on plants for human consumption. Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) is commonly used as a food flavoring, but it can be quite toxic in large doses.

Pesticides made with botanical oils are derived from plants that are known to have insecticidal properties. Many commercially formulated pesticides made with botanical oils contain synthetic chemical synergists. These synergists have no insecticidal effect of their own, but serve to enhance the insecticidal effect of the botanical oils. Carefully read the labels on all products before use to make sure that they do not also contain toxic pesticides.

Pyrethrums, nicotine, and rotenone, are examples of extremely toxic botanical extracts. Pyrethrums are natural insecticides produced by certain species of the chrysanthemum plant. The flowers of the plant are harvested shortly after blooming and are either dried and powdered or the oils within the flowers are extracted with solvents. Pyrethrins are synthetic pyrethrums and are very toxic. Even natural pyrethrums are still very toxic and are not included here. Nicotine is produced by the tobbaco plant and is highly toxic in even small doses. Rotenone is an extract obtained from plants in the pea family, such as barbasco, cube, haiari, nekoe, and timbo. Rotenone has long been used in "organic" farming. Recent research has linked rotenone to nerve damage and Parkinson's disease. Our point here is that even "natural" plant extracts and pesticides derived from plants are not neccessarily as safe as indicated.

Many plant oils such as citrus oils, mint oil, pine oil, capsicum (pepper) extracts, tree oils and vegetable oils can be used as pesticides. Some common botanical pesticides made from essential plant oils are listed below:

• Canola Oil: Canola oil is used to control insects on a wide variety of crops. Canola oil is considered safe for human consumption. Scientists believe that canola oil repels insects by altering the outer layer of the leaf surface or by acting as an insect irritant. Canola oil appears to have no adverse effects on humans or the environment. (Canola Oil Reference)
• Catnip Oil: Research shows that the essential oil in catnip can be used as a very effective mosquito repellent. The researchers believe that catnip repels mosquitoes by an irritant reaction.
• Cedarwood Oil: Cedarwood oil is often used in mothproofing, and may contribute to the control of certain other insects. (Cedarwood Oil Reference)
• Citronella Oil: Citronella has been used for over 50 years as an insect repellent and as an animal repellent. It is found in many familiar insect repellent products: candles, lotions, gels, sprays and towelette wipes for use on clothing and people. These products repel various insects, some of which are public health pests, such as mosquitoes, biting flies and fleas. Citronella is also present in some pellet and tablet products for use around home lawns and gardens to repel dogs and cats. When used according to the label, citronella products are not expected to cause harm to humans, pets or the environment. It has a distinctive odor, which repels certain animals. In tablet or pellet form it is also used in recreational areas, outdoor household areas, and around trees and shrubs. Animal collars and tags containing citronella are used on pets and other domestic animals to repel fleas and ticks. (Citronella Oil Reference)
• Cottonseed Oil: Cottonseed oil is generally considered the most insecticidal of the vegetable oils. Several commercial products are available that contain cottonseed oil, however this oil is not generally available for wide spread use. (Cottonseed Oil Reference)
• Garlic oil: While garlic oil is not exactly considered an essential oil by purists, we have included it here since it has been considered an organic pesticide for some time. Garlic exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, amoebicidal and insecticidal qualities. Although garlic oils kill pest insects and some pathogens, it also kills beneficial insects and microbes. Thus, it is not recommend as an all-purpose spray for outdoor use. Organic gardeners have long been familiar with the repellent or toxic affect of garlic oil on pests. Some studies also suggest that a garlic oil spray also has fungicidal properties (Garlic Oil Reference)
• Herbal oils: The essential oil of Bergemont, Anise, Sage, Tea tree, Geranium, Mint, and Thyme, Hyssop, Rosemary, Thyme, and White Clover can be used to control certain pests on plants. They have been shown to reduce the number of eggs laid and the amount of feeding damage by certain insects, particularly lepidopteran caterpillars. Sprays made from Tansy have demonstrated a repellent effect on imported cabbageworm on cabbage, reducing the number of eggs laid on the plants. Teas made from Wormwood or Nasturtiums are reputed to repel aphids from fruit trees, and sprays made from ground or blended Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Marigolds, or Rue have also been used by gardeners against pests that feed on leaves.
• JoJoba Oil: Jojoba oil , when applied to crops, can control whiteflies; jojoba oil products are also approved for controlling powdery mildew on grapes and ornamentals. When used as directed, jojoba oil presents no known risks to humans or the environment. (Jojoba Oil Reference)
• Neem oil: Neem oil is extracted from the tropical neem tree, Azadirachta indica, contains insecticidal properties that are composed of a complex mixture of biologically active compounds. It has a strong, slightly garlic-like odor that some people describe as unpleasant. Its various active ingredients act as repellents, feeding inhibitors, egg laying deterrents, growth retardants, sterilants and direct toxins. Neem oil has very low toxicity to mammals. Clarified hydrophobic extracts of neem oil are used to control some fungal diseases of plants. (Neem Oil Reference)
• Soybean Oil: Soybean oil is widely available and has demonstrated good to moderate control on many species of pests. Soybean oil can also aid in suppression of powdery mildew. (Soybean Oil Reference)
• Sesame Oil: Sesame oil is frequently used in cooking and exhibits the same pesticidal qualities as other cooking oils. (Sesame Oil Reference)

Some Plant Oils That Are Pesticide Active Ingredients

• Insect Control – Horticultural Oils, from Colorado State University
• Least Toxic Pesticide Info – from the University of Rhode Island
• Turkish Plant Oils are Lethal to Vegetable Pests – form Science Daily
• Floral Attractants, Repellants & Insecticide Factsheet – Environment Protection Agency, USA
• Neem Oil Used as Insecticide – form Green Seeds New
• Horticultural Oils – from Homestead.com
• Insect Repellants Review – Past, Present & Future (PDF)
• Edible Chitosan Coatings as Novel, Effective Biopesticides (PDF)
• New Uses of Vegetable Oils in Fruit Production

Plant Oils as Coolants & Lubricants

Vegetable oil used as lubricants

Amongst the use of lubricants, over fifty percent of were automotive lubricants (such as engine oil and transmission fluid) and the rest fifty percent were industrial lubricants (such as hydraulic fluid and gear oil).

Summary of lubricant types:

• Automotive lubricants - are oil and grease based but also can have synthetic properties. Used in a car's transmission, engine, and on seals gears and chassis points.
• Biodegradable lubricants - derived from plant or animal based sources and are used often in conjunction with agricultural implementations.
• Compounded lubricants - mineral oils with vegetable, animal or chemical lubricating oils added to enhance certain physical or chemical properties of the finished blend.
• Compressor lubricants - used in a compressor.
• Conductive lubricants - lubricate and improve electrical and thermal connections between sliding surfaces, while providing protection from moisture and corrosion.
• Dry film lubricants - consist of no liquid between the parts to be lubricated. These are usually made of silicones or related compounds and used in areas where oil and grease are not recommended.
• Food grade lubricants - formulated, extreme-pressure synthetic lubricants developed for use in industrial machinery where incidental food contact from lubricants may occur.
• Grease lubricants - lubricants composed of oil or oils thickened with soaps or thickeners until a semisolid or solid consistency is formed.
• Stamping lubricants - lubricants used during the metal stamping fabrication process – ranging from synthetic to straight oil.
• Synthetic lubricants - lubricants produced by chemical synthesis rather than by extraction or refinement of petroleum in order to produce a compound with planned properties.

Three main types of lubricants make up today’s market. Petroleum oil-based lubricants (also called mineral oils) are derived from crude oil, and make up the vast majority of the lubricants sold today. Synthetic lubricants, synthesized from intermediate petrochemicals, possess a range of high-performance attributes, including biodegradability. These synthetic lubricants account for 2 percent of today’s lubricant market. Plant-based lubricants can be derived from a range of vegetable oils and are inherently biodegradable and low in toxicity. This industry is still in the development stage, and its current market share is low: just about one percentage of the market.

All through history and until the end the 1800s, however, vegetable oils and animal fats served as lubricants. The rise of petroleum in the early 20th century gave the economic advantage to petroleum-based lubricants, which quickly dominated the market.

This trend is however shifting. While the harmful effects of petroleum on environmental and human health are becoming more obvious, high-performance vegetable oil-based lubricants are being developed and marketed. Owing to these reasons, market studies forecast that the biodegradable lubricants market will increase significantly. Both plant-based and synthetic lubricants have the potential to capture this market.

The main vegetable oils that are used as lubricants are: Rapeseed oil, soybeans oil & sunflower oil. Rapeseed oil is the primary type of lubricant used in Europe. Rapeseed has a high erucic acid content, and that’s what gives it the tendency to be a good lubricant.

In the US, over 80% of bio-lubricants use canola oil while the rest use soy oil. Researchers also continue to experiment with safflower oil and castor oil for use as lubricants.

• Vegetable Oil Based Coolant – from Manufacturing Center
• Vegetable Oil Lubricant Information from Cargill (PDF)
• New Vegetable Oils as Lubricants – form Agriculture Research Services (ARS), USA New
• Harvesting Lubricants – from the Carbohydrate Economy New
• Plant Based Lubricants – from the Carbohydrate Economy
• Industrial Lubricants Specifications – from Global Spec
• Biodegradable, Bio-based Lubricants & Greases

Plant Oils as Inks & Coatings

• Soybean Oil Based Inks Gain in Popularity – from Stanford University
• Printing Inks from Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide
• Soya Ink: Myth vs. Reality (PDF)
• Paints, Surface Coating & Printing Inks – from National Non-food Crop Centre, UK New
• Biodegradable Printing Inks from Vegetable Oils – A Case Study

Other Uses of Plant Oils

• Drying agents, used in making paints and other wood treatment products. Dammar oil, for example, is used almost exclusively in treating the hulls of wooden boats.
• Vegetable oils are increasingly being used in the electrical industry as insulators as vegetable oils are non-toxic to the environment, biodegradable if spilled and have high flash and fire points. However, vegetable oils have issues with chemical stability (there has to be a tradeoff with biodegradability), so they are generally used in systems where they are not exposed to oxygen and are more expensive than crude oil distillate.
• Common vegetable oil has also been used experimentally as a cooling agent in PCs.
• One limiting factor in industrial uses of vegetable oils is that all such oils eventually decompose, chemically, turning rancid. Oils that are more stable (e.g. Ben oil) are therefore particularly valued for industrial application.
• Bio-plastics, Polymers and Composite Resins - Bio-Based Composites from Soybean Oil, for instance
• Composites and Foams
• Triglyceride-Based Thermosets
• Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives, Elastomers, and Coatings from Plant Oil – Soy-based adhesives, for instance
• Hurricane-Resistant Houses from Soybean Oil
• Carbon Nanotube Composites with Soybean Oil Resins
• Lignin Polymers and Composites
• Solvents & Industrial Solvents
• Metal Working Oils
• Fertilisers – Especially Oilmeals
• Paint Removers
• Deicers
• Cleaners

Links for Other Uses of Plant Oils

• Plant Oils Fact Sheet – Environmental Protection Agency, USA
• New Uses of Vegetable Oils in Fruit Production – from Good Fruit
• The Various Uses of Palm Oil – from Fedepalma
• Organic Facts Directory – Possible Future Uses of Plant Oils & Plant Extracts as Feeds & Fertilisers
• Herbal Oils & Their Uses – from Viable Herbal Solutions
• Bio-oils Market Study – from Agri Foods, Canada
• Nuts, Vegetable Oils & Butter – from Camden Grey
• Soybean Oil – Modern Processing & Utilization – from American Soybean Association (PDF)
• Essential Oil Information – from Essentialoil.com
• Vegetable Oil Revival – From Chelsea Green (PDF)
• Vegetable Oils Provide Green Performance – from Engineering Talk New
• Vegetable Oils Help Reduce Volatile Organic Compounds in Inks – from The American Printer New
• Commercial Uses of Wild & Traditionally Managed Plants in England & Scotland – Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (PDF) New
• The Surfactants Virtual Library New
• Livestock Manure Odor Abatement with Plant-derived Oils (PDF)
• Herbs & Oils – Practical, Magical & Aromatherapy Uses
• Essential Oils in Aromatherapy – Herbal Gardens
• Crambe, Industrial Rapeseed & Tung Provide Valuable Oils (PDF)
• New Uses from Existing Crops
• IENICA Report from Hungary (PDF)
• Fatty Oils & Waxes
• Magia D’ La Luna Herb Library
• Other Plant Uses – from Plants for a Future
• Natural Plant Extracts Might Sub for Methyl Bromide (PDF)
• Fats & Oils – Why the Fuss?
• Non-edible Applications of Soybean Oil (PDF)
• The Evolution of Soybean Based Transformer Oil from Waverly Light & Power (PDF)
• Plant Oils & Waxes, for Alternative Lighting – from Plants for a Future
• An Updated Review of the Potential Uses of Plants Grown for their Extracts (PDF)
• New Food & Pharmaceutical Products from Agriculture (PDF)
• Bio-plastics – Converting Oilseeds into High-value Plastics (PDF)
• Mite Control in Honeybees with Essential Oils
• Anti-microbial Effects of Spices & Herbs
• Use of Botanicals as Biopreservatives in Foods (PDF)
• Basil & Thyme Oil Combat Food Borne Bacteria – Food Quality News
• Industrial Uses of Eucalyptus Oil (Microsoft Word document)
• Possible Non-food Crops Applications & Benefits – UK Parliament Report
• Fats & Oils as Oleochemical Raw Materials (PDF)
• Plant-based Bioproducts – Creating Value from Renewable Biological Resources (PDF)
• Castor Oil May Take On New Duties
• Oleochemicals as Feedstock for the Biorefinery – High Value Products from Fats & Oils (PDF)
• Bio-Oils Market Study Executive Summary
• Canola – Teaching Old Plant New Tricks
• Biodegradable Polymers
• Plant/Plant Oil Uses – from Plant-based Chemicals @ Carbohydrate Economy
• Read also: Industrial Uses of Soy Oil - http://agproducts.unl.edu/soyoil.htm

The Plant Oil, Vegetable Oils & Essential Oils Database @ PlantOils.in provides directory and web links resources for the plant-based oils, plant extracts, vegetable oils, edible oil, oleoresins, oleoresin extract, biofuels, biodiesel. It is intended to be useful for research and information as well as for buyers, sellers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, producers, exporters and importers. It will make an effort to provide plant oil, vegetable oil info and link, details on oilseeds, bio-fuel, bio-diesel, bio-fuels, plant oils production and uses, and trade & market resources, data, statistics such as price, prices, demand-supply for buyer, seller, manufacturer, trader, supplier, exporter and producer.

PlantOils.in is owned and operated by eSource India, who make online sourcing from India eASY! & Sourcing.in where sourcing from India is explained

Reference on Energy & Alternative Energy – from Oilgae – Oil from Algae - What’s New in Energy, Sustainable Energy Portal

Interesting questions from the Billion Dollar Site

Health

• How can graying of hair be reversed?
• What are the cures & treatments for insomnia?
• What are the main cares that should be taken during pregnancy?
• What are the best treatments for Atherosclerosis/arteriosclerosis - clogged heart arteries?
• What is the cure for obesity?
• How can I look young & youthful?
• What are the best foods to maintain a healthy body?
• What are the regular exercises to maintain a healthy heart?
• How can I overcome depression & frustration?

Science

• Will biofuels make the cut?
• How long will oil last?
• What are the alternative energy options available to the world?