Semen ricini

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

Last updated on: 20.11.2021

Synonym(s)

Castor beans; Castor seeds

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please login to access all articles, images, and functions.

Our content is available exclusively to medical professionals. If you have already registered, please login. If you haven't, you can register for free (medical professionals only).

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please complete your registration to access all articles and images.

To gain access, you must complete your registration. You either haven't confirmed your e-mail address or we still need proof that you are a member of the medical profession.

Finish your registration now

DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Castor oil plant seeds (Ricinus communis)

General informationThis section has been translated automatically.

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).

Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.

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

Authors

Last updated on: 20.11.2021

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles