Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an oilseed species that can be grown as a semi-perennial in Mediterranean environments, including the coastal areas of Sicily. The present study investigated optimization cultivation techniques for castor, with crop being maintained over two-year period, through evaluation different agronomical inputs order to increase seed yield. effects irrigation (I) and nitro...

The experiment on biological activity of botanical oils and leaf powders against R. dominica was conducted under laboratory condition. results revealed that among the powder, castor oil 2.0% neem powder 1% achieved maximum adult mortality at 72 hr after treatment (91.67% 81.67%) as best grain protectants with least seed damage (4.33% 3.67%), weight loss (2.01% 1.04%), F1 emergence (3.67 4.33) h...

We demonstrate that naturally occurring C(14) and C(16)-specific acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) desaturases from plants can complement the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) auxotrophy of an Escherichia coli fabA/fadR mutant. Under the same growth conditions, C(18)-specific delta(9)-stearoyl (18:0)-ACP desaturases are unable to complement the UFA auxotrophy. This difference most likely results from ...

A cDNA encoding the oleate 12-hydroxylase from castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) has previously been shown to direct the synthesis of small amounts of ricinoleic acid (12-hydroxyoctadec-cis-9-enoic acid) in seeds of transgenic tobacco plants. Expression of the cDNA under control of the Brassica napus napin promoter in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants resulted in the accumulation of up to ...

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a class of integral membrane proteins that facilitate the passive transport of water and other small solutes across biological membranes. Castor bean (Ricinus communis L., Euphobiaceae), an important non-edible oilseed crop, is widely cultivated for industrial, medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Its recently available genome provides an opportunity to analyze specific gene f...

Production and characterization of bio lubricating base oil from non-edible castor seed has been studied. Castor was extracted by solvent extraction method. KOH catalyzed transesterification process used to produce bio-lubricating oil. Ethanol as alcohol in the process. Optimum condition for production 40% ethanol, 0.45% at 75oC reaction time 90 min. yield 98%. Important properties produced lik...