Title: Oil Biosynthesis and Biotechnology in the Castor Bean
Abstract: The castor bean plant, Ricinus communis L., is an oleaginous species that produces a very unusual oil, composed mainly of ricinoleic acid (ca. 90%). This fatty acid is a hydroxylated derivative (18:1OH) of common oleic acid, and it has a great range of industrial applications. As a result, castor oil is regarded as one of the most important renewable resources for the chemical industry. However, there are certain drawbacks in the use of this plant due to the presence of highly toxic ricin in its seeds, as well as some strong allergens found both in seed and pollen. Current knowledge of the metabolic routes involved in castor oil biosynthesis, and the molecular mechanisms responsible for the efficient channeling of ricinoleic acid into the seed oil, have opened the way for genetic engineering approaches aimed at producing castor-like oils from common oleaginous species. Domestication of the castor plant through biotechnological strategies is also being envisaged as a feasible alternative to improve the common source of ricinoleic acid. This chapter describes the current knowledge of oil biosynthesis in castor bean, as well as biotechnological approaches being explored to improve the available sources of ricinoleic acid.
Publication Year: 2018
Publication Date: 2018-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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