Functional characterization of four sesquiterpene synthases from Ricinus communis (Castor bean)

► Analysis of Ricinus communis establishes up to 13 putative sesquiterpene synthases (SeTPSs). ► Only four of the recovered cDNAs were found to produce sesquiterpene products. ► Production levels in engineered microbial hosts were low compared to other plant SeTPSs. ► Verified products include (−)-α-copaene, (+)-δ-cadinene, and (E, E)-α-farnesene.