Researchers from Brazil conducted an experiment to evaluate the antimicrobial actions of sodium hypochlorite and castor oil solutions against specific microorganisms. Acrylic 
resin specimens were obtained, sterilized and contaminated with important bacterial and Candida species.
Results showed that sodium hypochlorite solutions completely eliminated all microorganisms while castor oil solution provided moderate efficacy and performed differently on tested species.
Researchers from Spain used castor oil as a matrix material to prepare biocompatible and biodegradable nanocomposite films filled with chitosan modified ZnO nanoparticles for wound healing. The biocomposites were prepared by solution mixing and casting method. The morphology, structure and wound healing properties of the films were analysed. The antibacterial activity of the films were investigated in the presence and absence of UV light.
Results showed that the antibacterial activity was stronger against gram positive bacteria. Composites with nanoparticle loading enabled faster wound healing thus showing the potential to be applied as antibacterial wound dressings.
Researchers from Malaysia performed an experiment to analyse the efficiency
of biodiesel conversion from crude castor oil to castor oil biodiesel. Acid-base catalysed transesterification reaction was carried out under different reaction conditions to obtain high yield of castor biodiesel.
Diesel engine performance and emission tests with different castor biodiesel blends showed that B20 blend of castor biodiesel had same engine power output as other mineral diesel with lower average percentage of change in CO and HC emissions. Thus, B20 blend of castor biodiesel could be a suitable alternative to diesel.
Scientists performed an experiment to analyze the effect of catalysis pyrolysis of
castor seed on the yield of oil. Catalytic pyrolysis was carried out at 400°C for different ratios of catalyst to biomass using zeolite as catalyst.
Results showed that compared to thermal pyrolysis of castor seed, catalytic pyrolysis decreased the yield of oil and that the bio oil contained compounds with carbon chain length in the range of C4-C24 that is similar to most of the fuels used.
Researchers from Japan performed an experiment to analyze the change in characteristics of PLLA by introducing a biobased branched polymer bearing castor oil core as a nucleating agent. The Biobased polymer bearing castor oi
l core was synthesized. The nucleating effect of the branched polymer on the crystallization of PLLA was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and a polarized optical microscopy.
Results showed that by the addition of the branched polymer, the spherulite size of PLLA became smaller and the strain at break of PLLA containing the branched polymer was improved.
Scientists conducted an experiment to analyze the influence of isocyanate, hydroxyl groups and transesterified castor oil on the structure and properties of polyurethane. 
Polyurethane was synthesized using transesterified castor oil and partially Biobased isocyanate with varying concentrations of isocyanate and hydroxyl groups.
The chemical and mechanical properties, thermal stability of polyurethanes were analyzed. Results showed that NCO/OH molar ratio had profound effect on the tensile properties and modulus of polyurethanes.
Scientists from India synthesized a renewable resource based epoxidized castor
oil (ECO) and used it as a prime material to develop acrylated epoxidized castor oil (AECO) networks. AECO nanocomposites were prepared by sol-gel method using OMMT clay and silane.
The results showed that AECO/1 wt.% OMMT system increases in tensile strength from 28 to 37 MPa and flexural strength from 54 to 63 MPa as compared with the AECO system, respectively.
A team of researchers from China have conducted an experiment to synthesize castor oil based plasticizers containing flame retarded group and their use in poly vinyl chlor
ide as a secondary plasticizer. Initially epoxidized castor oil (ECO) and castor oil phosphate ester (COPE) were synthesized and their structure was characterized. The property of PVC blends plasticized with ECO and COPE as a secondary plasticizer was studied.
The results showed that the thermal stability of plasticized PVC blends was improved; the flame retardant performance of COPE was put into effect by promoting polymer carbonization and forming a consolidated and thick flame retardant coating.
The toxicity of castor, in the form of ricin, is one of the key challenges that is slowing the adoption of castor as a crop in some countries, especially in the developed parts.
Toxicity challenges in castor industry can be overcome through genetic engineering.
An example of this is the Genetic Engineering of Lesquerella fendleri for castor oil production.
Novo Synthetix, USA has followed the genetic engineering technique in castor such that it no longer produces ricin. No new DNA is introduced, mainly tweaking of genes.
Researchers developed bio-based polyurethane (BPU) using a castor oil/poly (ε-caprolactone) hybrid polyols and hydrophobic BPU ultrafine fibres containing modified silica (m-silica) by electrospinning process. The rheological analysis of the network structure between the BPU and m-silica showed improved mechanical properties and thermal stability. The average fibre diameter of the hybrid ultrafine fibres decreased with increasing m-silica content. Moreover, the m-silica nanoparticle provided an effective surface wettability to BPU ultrafine fibres, thus making it a hydrophobic molecule. All these improved properties makes BPU/m-silica ultrafine fibres, a better replacement for petroleum-based polyurethane membrane, thus allowing its application in the field of bio filters, eco-friendly textiles, and biomedical engineering.