The castor oil plant, Ricinus communis, is a plant species of the Euphorbiaceae and the sole member of the genus Ricinus and of the subtribe Ricininae. Its seed is the castor bean which, despite its name, is not a true bean.

Castor seed is the source of castor oil, which has a wide variety of uses. The seeds contain between 40%and 60% oil that is rich in triglycerides, mainly ricinolein. They also contain ricin, a poison, which is also present in lower concentrations throughout the plant

We could highlight castor seed, which can be cultivated in most of soils. Research states that the yield could reach 3,000 kg /ha year with genetic improvement and with possible introduction of irrigated cultivation.

Transesterification can occur in different temperatures depending on the type of oil employed. The reaction of castor oil with methanol occurs most satisfactorily at temperatures in the range from 20 to 35 C. So Castor is very suitable as Bio fuel crop.