Commercially, castor oil is produced only from castor seed. Typically 50% of the seed weight is oil,2 of which 90% of the fatty acid content is ricinoleate3 and 70% of the oil is composed of RRR (Figure 1). This oil, with its unique properties, has a diversity of uses, including as a specialty lubricant in model aircraft engines. Currently, researchers are evaluating ways to improve castor oil’s lubricity through chemical modifications.4 Furthermore, extensive research is being performed on the castor seed to increase the yield or content of ricinoleate or to reduce the amount of the poisonous protein, ricin, that is present in the plant and seed. A recent research paper described identification of the tetraricinoleate, RRRR, which is the RRR ester of triricinoleate and is normally present as approximately 0.5% in the oil.5 Because this molecule contains 33% more ricinoleate than RRR, having the seed contain more RRRR would significantly increase the amount of this fatty acid in the harvested oil. To assist in the biochemistry for the formation of this product, the regioisomer of the ester (found on the center hydroxyacid) was identified in 2008.6