castor oil
castor oil
A mixture of triglycerides obtained by pressing the seeds of the castor oil plant, <em>Ricinus communis</em>. The major component is triricinolein. Typical fatty acid composition on hydrolysis is 87% ricinoleic acid, 7% oleic acid, 3% linoleic acid, 2% palmitic acid, 1% stearic acid, and trace amounts of dihydroxystearic acid.