Generation of ricinoleic acid from castor oil using the lipase from ground oat (Avena sativa L.) seeds as a catalyst

Summary The lipase found in oat seeds acts upon castor oil in organic solvent, yielding approximately 90% ricinoleic acid. Initial velocity is a poor predictor of the time required for complete lipolysis except at low oil concentrations. Equations were developed to estimate kinetic parameters necessary to accurately predict the degree of lipolysis.