Ricinoleic Acid
Ricinoleic acid is a fatty acid found in castor plant seeds and the seed oil, and has many uses in industry and medicine:
Castor oil
Ricinoleic acid is the main component of castor oil, making up about 90% of its fatty acids. Castor oil is the only vegetable oil that contains a fatty acid with hydroxy functionality in such abundance.
Industrial uses
Ricinoleic acid is used in the production of oleochemicals, pigments, printing inks, and textile finishes. It's also used in detergents and as a starting material for amphoteric surfactants.
Medical uses
Ricinoleic acid has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It's also used in castor oil, which is FDA-approved as a natural laxative to treat temporary constipation. Castor oil can also help promote wound healing by creating a moist environment.
Petrochemical substitute
Ricinoleic acid is being explored as a substitute for petrochemicals in various industrial processes.
Chemical structure
Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid with the chemical name 12-hydroxy-9-cis-octadecenoic acid. It has an unusual polarity due to the position of the hydroxyl group.