Crops Castor oil (Ricinus communis)

Further Information



To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
Crops for Detergents : Crops for Fine Chemicals : Crops for Paints/Coatings/Plastics

Common Name	CASTOR
Latin binomial	Ricinus communis
Plant family	Euphorbiaceae
Names in other languages	ricin commun (F), rizinus pflanze(D), ricino comun (E)

Castor may be found growing wild in many of the warmer regions of the world; the species probably originated in East Africa, but has become naturalised following early introductions. Plants are often grown for ornamental purposes in more temperate regions, where some may become established in sheltered locations and develop into small trees. The plant is valued for the pale yellow seed oil, which has long been used for medicinal purposes and is now of importance in a wide variety of technical applications due to its unique content of ricinoleic acid. The oil is used, for instance, in the manufacture of some lubricants, plastics, surfactants, paints, and dyes, and in the preparation of imitation leather. Commercial production is of importance in Brazil and several Asian countries, smaller quantities being exported from many other sources. There is demand for some 100,000 t of castor oil annually in Europe, and trial plantings are being made in suitable locations in Southern areas.

This entry forms part of the publication Crops for Industry and Energy in Europe

References:

Perry, F (1972) Flowers of the World. London: Hamlyn Press.

Robellen, G, Downey, K R & Ashri, A (Eds) (1989) Oil Crops of the World: their Breeding and Utilisation. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Salunkhe, D K, Chaven, J K, Adsule, R N & Kadam, S S (1992) World Oilseeds: Chemistry Technology and Utilisation. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. Champaign: AOCS Press.

Relevant EC funded projects:
AIR-2324
AIR-0069
AGRE-0039