Chemical and physical properties, structure, biological activity, uses and applications of castor seeds (ricinus communis l.)

Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) crops are grown across the world in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions; their farming is very important in many importing and exporting countries. Nowadays castor seed has received a special interest due to it being an important source of protein and oil with high potential to be used as animal's feedstock and for biodiesel production. Nevertheless, beyond its applications in energy industry and the production of food for animals, the castor oil is one of the most useful plant oils, as its phytochemical compounds have been well known since antiquity and more than 700 industrial uses have been currently reported along with a yearly rising global demand. Thus, castor oil is used in pharmaceuticals, food and other industries. In addition, it is thesource of a number of useful oleochemicals. For this reason this chapter is aimed to present a brief recompilation about Ricinus communis L., covering from its origin, taxonomy, global production and marketing of the seed and its oil to its chemical and phytochemical characteristics.