Semen ricini

Castor oil plant seeds (Ricinus communis)

Ingredients of Semen Rhicini: 45-65% fatty oil consisting of at least 80% triricinolein, a ricinoleic acid esterified with glycerol. Other ingredients are oleic acid 3.6-9%, linoleic acid 3-5%, linolenic acid 0.4%, other fatty acids are palmitic acid 0-1.6%, stearic acid 1.5-3%, vaccenic acid, arachidic acid, eicosenoic acid < 1%. Semen ricini contains the less toxic ricinin and (up to about 3%) the very toxic lectin ricin. Ricin does not pass into the oil during cold pressing with subsequent steam treatment, so that commercially available castor oil is free of these toxins.

Semen ricini is used exclusively for the production of castor oil (Ricini oleum virginale).

Due to its extraordinary toxicity, ricin was tested for its suitability as a weapon in both the 1st and 2nd World War.