Dehydrated Castor Oil Fatty Acid (DCOFA) is a product derived from castor oil through a process called dehydration. Castor oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis), contains predominantly ricinoleic acid (around 85-90%), along with other fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and stearic acid.

During the dehydration process, the hydroxyl group (-OH) of ricinoleic acid is removed, resulting in the formation of dehydrated castor oil fatty acid. This process converts ricinoleic acid into conjugated linoleic acid, which has different properties and applications compared to castor oil.

DCOFA finds various industrial applications, including in the production of lubricants, coatings, plastics, and resins. Its properties, such as high reactivity and compatibility with other materials, make it useful in different formulations across industries. Additionally, DCOFA can be used as a raw material for the synthesis of certain chemicals and specialty products.