Evaluation of physicochemical properties of Jatropha curcas seeds from four different agro-climatic areas of Ghana

Authors

  • S. K. Chikpah Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
  • B. Demuyakor Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

Keywords:

Jatropha curcas, Antinutrients, Crude phorbol ester, Phytic acid, Tannins

Abstract

Jatropha curcas is a drought resistant multipurpose small shrub/tree with significant economic importance because of its several potential agricultural, industrial and medicinal uses. The study was conducted to provide quantitative data on the physical and chemical properties of seeds and kernels of Jatropha curcas grown locally in four different agro-climatic areas of Ghana (1. Nyankpala, Northern Region, 2. Dambai, Volta Region, 3. WA, Upper West Region, 4. Techiman, Brong Ahafo Region), that differ in agro-climatic conditions. The average seed weight was between 0.65 – 0.73 g and average kernel and shell weights ranged between (0.41- 0.45 g) and (0.24 – 0.28 g) respectively. The kernel forms larger proportion of the seed and the percentage kernel weight of whole seed was highest in seeds obtained from Nyankpala, sample 1 (62.74 %) and lower in seeds from WA, sample 3 (61.19 %). The seeds have dry matter content of (93.13 – 94.18 %), crude protein (18.21 -19.97 %), lipid (36.52-38.64 %), carbohydrate (14.70 – 16.64 %), crude fibre (14.14 – 19.04 %) and total ash (5.03 – 5.71 %). The kernels of Jatropha samples were very rich in lipid (55.51 – 56.83 %) that did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) among the four samples. The kernels also contained high crude protein that varied between (23.08 – 25.88 %). Crude fibre was low in the kernels (3.68 – 5.52 %). The seeds and kernels of Jatropha curcas samples also contained varying amounts of antinutrients such as crude phorbol ester, phytic acid and tannins. Crude phorbol ester concentrations in the seed samples are sample 1(5.35 mg/g), sample 2 (6.20 mg/g), sample 3(5.30 mg/g) and sample 4(6.82 mg/g). However, the concentration of crude phorbol ester in the kernels (1K, 2K, 3K, and 4K) ranged between (5.0 – 6.45 mg/g). The phytic acid content (% dry matter) in seeds and kernels were between the range (8.71 -10.15 %) and (7.88-9.50 %) respectively. Tannins content in the kernel was low (0.05 – 0.09 % tannic acid equivalent).

References

Aderibigbe, A.O., Makkar, H.P.S., Becker, K., Foidl, N., 1997. Chemical composition and effect of heat on organic

matter and nitrogen degradability and some anti-nutritional components of Jatropha meal. Anim. Feed Sci.

Technol. 67, 223-243.

Adolf, W., Opferkuch, H.J., Hecker, E., 1984. Irritant phorbol derivatives from four Jatropha species.

Phytochemistry 23, 129-132.

AOAC, 1990. Official methods of analysis (15th ed.). Arlington, VA: Association of Official Analytical Chemists.

Atanassova, M., Christova-Bagdassarian, V., 2009. Determination of tannins content by titrimetric method for

comparison of different plant species. Journal of University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 44, 4

El –Diwani, G.I., El Rafei S.A., Hawash, S.I., 2011. Ozone for Phorbol Esters Removal from Egyptian Jatropha Oil

Seed Cake. Advances in Applied Science Research, 2011, 2 (4),221-232.

Gübitz, G.M., Mittelbach, M., Trabi, M., 1999. Exploitation of the tropical oil seed plant Jatropha curcas L.

Bioresource Technology 67, 73-82.

Hass, W., Mittelbach, M., 2000. Detoxification experiments with the seed oil from Jatropha curcas L. Ind. Crop

Prod. 12, 111-118.

Heller, J., 1996. Physic Nut: Jatropha curcas L. Promoting the Conservation and Use of Underutilized and Neglected

Crops. I. Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben/ International Plant Genetic

Resources Institute, Rome.

International Pharmacopoeia, 2003. World Health Organization, 3rd ed., v.5, Geneva.

Ishii, Y., Takeuchi, R., Tokida, K., 1987. Transesterified curcas oil as a farm diesel engine fuel. In proceedings of the

International Symposium on Agriculture Mechanization and International Cooperation in a High Technology

Era. Pp 239. University of Tokyo, 3rd April.

Kumar, V., Chauhan, N.S., Padh, H., Rajani, M., 2006. Search for antibacterial and antifungal agents from selected

Indian medicinal plants. J. Ethnopharmacol. 107, 182-188.

Kumar, V., Sharma S., 2008. An evaluation of multipurpose oil seed crop for industrial uses (Jatropha curcas L.): A

review. Industrial Crops & Products, 28, 1–10.

Liu, S.Y., Sporer, F., Wink, M., Jourdane, J., Henning, R., Li, Y.L., Ruppel, A., 1997. Anthraquinones in Rheum

palmatum and Rumex dentatus (Polygonaceae), and phorbol esters in Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) with

molluscicidal activity against the schistosome vector snails Oncomelania, Biomphalaria and Bulinus. Tropical

Medicine and International Health 2, 179-188

Lucas, G.M., Markakes, P., 1975. Phytic acid and other phosphorus compounds of nevy bean (Phaseolous vulgaris).

J. Agric., Food Chem., 23,13-15.

Lutz, A., 1992. Vegetable oil as fuel- an environmentally and socially compatible concept for Mali. GATE-Eschborn

, pp. 38– 46.

Makkar, H.P.S., Becker, K., Schmook, B., 1998. Edible provenances of Jatropha curcas from Quintana Roo state of

Mexico and effect of roasting on antinutrient and toxic factors in seeds. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition 52,

-36.

Makkar, H.P.S., Becker, K., Sporer, F., Wink, M., 1997. Studies on nutritive potential and toxic constituents of

different provenances of Jatropha curcas. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 45, 3152-3157.

Makkar, H.P.S., Francis, G., Becker, K., 2007. Bioactivity of phytochemicals in some lesser-known plants and their

effects and potential applications in livestock and aquaculture production systems. Animal 1(9),1371–1391.

Makkar, H.P.S., Martinez-Herrera, J., Becker, K., 2008. Variations in Seed Number per Fruit, Seed Physical

Parameters and Contents of Oil, Protein and Phorbol Ester in Toxic and Non-Toxic Genotypes of Jatropha

curcas, Journal Plant Science, 3(3), 260-265.

Martinez-Herrera, J., Siddhuraju, P., Francis, G., Davilá-Ortíz, G., Becker, K., 2006. Chemical composition, toxic/antimetabolic constituents and effects of different treatments on their levels in four provenances of Jatropha

curcas L. from Mexico. Food Chemistry 96, 80-89.

Ogbebor, N.O., Adekunle, A.T., Enobakhare, D.A., 2007. Inhibition of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz) Sac.

Causal organism of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) leaf spot using plant extracts. Africa Journal of

Biotechnology 6, 213-218.

Openshaw, K., 2000. A review of Jatropha curcas: an oil plant of unfulfilled promise, Biomass Bioenergy 19 (2000)

–15.

Ouedraogo, M., Ayers, P.D., Linden, J.C., 1991. Diesel engine performance tests using oil from Jatropha curcas L.

Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America, 22, pp. 25-29.

Raina, A.K., Gaikwad, B.R., 1987. Chemobotany of Jatropha species in India and further characterization of ‘curcas

oil’. Journal of Oil Technology, India 19, pp. 81-85.

Raja-Antony, S., Robinson-smart, D.S., Lindon-Robert-Lee, C., 2011. Biodiesel production from jatropha oil and its

characterization. Research Journal of Chemical Science, Vol.1 (1), pp. 81-87.

Schmook, B., Seralta-Peraza, L., 1997. Jatropha curcas: distribution and uses in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. In:

Gubitz M, Mittelbach M, Trabi M, editors. GM. Biofuels and Industrial Products from Jatropha curcas, pp. 53-

DBV Graz. 53-57. DBV Graz.

Sirisomboon, P., Kitchaiya, P., Pholpho, T., Mahuttanyavanitch, W., 2007. Physical and mechanical properties of

Jatropha curcas L. fruits, nuts and kernels. Biosyst. Eng. 97, 201–207

Solsoloy, A.D., 1995. Pesticidal efficacy of the formulated physic nut, Jatropha curcas L. oil on pests of selected

field crops. Philippine Journal of Science 124, 59-74.

Young, S.M., Greaves, J.E., 1940. Influence of variety and treatment on phytic acid content of wheat. Food Res.,

,103-105

Published

2013-01-31

How to Cite

K. Chikpah, S., & Demuyakor, B. . (2013). Evaluation of physicochemical properties of Jatropha curcas seeds from four different agro-climatic areas of Ghana. Scientific Journal of Crop Science, 2(1), 20-27. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjcs/article/view/1228

Issue

Section

Original Article