Catechol one of the main natural phenols in argan oil and is a component of castoreum, a substance from the castor gland of beavers, used in perfumery. It is also found in "Agaricus bisporus". Catechol moieties are also found widely within the natural world. Arthropod cuticle consists of chitin linked by a catechol moiety to protein. The cuticle may be strengthened by cross-linking (tanning and sclerotization), in particular, in insects, and of course by biomineralization. Catechols such as DHSA are produced through the metabolism of cholesterol by bacteria such as "Mycobacterium tuberculosis". Urushiols are naturally existing organic compounds that have the
Castor oil in July 2007, Indian castor oil sold for about US$0.90 per kilogram (US$0.41 per pound) whereas U.S. soybean, sunflower and canola oils sold for about US$0.30 per kilogram (US$0.14 per pound). Annually 270,000–360,000 tonnes (600–800 million pounds) of castor oil are produced for a variety of uses. In the food industry, castor oil (food grade) is used in food additives, flavorings, candy ("e.g.", polyglycerol polyricinoleate or PGPR in chocolate), as a mold inhibitor, and in packaging. Polyoxyethylated castor oil ("e.g.", Kolliphor EL) is also used in the food industries. In India, Pakistan and Nepal food grains are preserved by the