The physico-chemical properties of the seed and seed oil of Jatropha curcas L

Abstract

The composition and physico-chemical properties of the seed and seed oil of Jatropha curcas were determined. Seeds contained 50.50, 14.78, 4.74, 3.33, 12.25 and 3.50% oil, protein, moisture, carbohydrate, ash and fibre, respectively. The saponification value, iodine value, acid value, peroxide value, unsaponifiable matter, free fatty acid and specific gravity of the oil were 23.13, 103.42, 1.41, 12.67, 1.50, 2.87 and 0.94%, respectively. Dodecanoic, myristic, palmitic, stearic and oleic acids comprised 0.35, 0.47, 27.04, 3.15 and 69.00% of total fatty acids. It is concluded that the low moisture and ash contents coupled with the moderate protein content makes the seed suitable for animal feeds.