Jatropha curcas L. Seeds: Chemical Analysis and Toxicity

Abstract

A high degree of toxicity was found in raw, cooked, or roasted seeds of Jatropha curcas L. All rats fed on diets containing different fractions of this nut which had been submitted to different treatments were killed as follows: raw nuts, within 2-3 days; raw or cooked nut oil, within 6—8 days; roasted nuts, within 14-16 days. Chemical analysis of the seeds revealed a high protein content (26 .75%) with a good proportion of essential amino acids and a high lipid content (57 .90%).