The effect of different climatic zones on fatty acid profile of Ricinus communis seed oil

Abstract

Castor bean has not been well studied in different genotypes and geographic zones despite its application in industry and medicine. Recently, the use of castor beans as biodiesel and industry makes this plant a point of interest for researchers. However, more studies are needed for evaluating genotypes from different ecologies. The effect of climatic zones, Adana and Mersin, on the fatty acid profile of chaster bean seed oils was investigated. It was found that locations significantly influenced the fatty acid content. The main fatty acid was ricinoleic acid with 84.63% and 86.87% in both Adana and Mersin locations, respectively. Despite ricinoleic acid, Adana had higher concentrations of Palmitic acid (1.97%), Stearic acid (2.1%), Oleic acid (4.4%), and Palmitoleic acid (2.29%) whereas Linolenic acid (5.83%), and Ricinoleic acid (86.87%) was high in Mersin. These results showed that climate affects the fatty acid contents of studied caster oil. This study will help in the selection of proper caster oil cultivars not only in these regions but in other regions of the world as well.