Phytochemical Characterization of Naturalized Sudanese Jatropha curcas Seed Kernels
Nagwa Kamal-Eldin M. Salih *
Forestry Research Centre, Agricultural Research Corporation, P.O.Box 7089, Khartoum, Sudan.
Elhadi M. Yahia
Laboratorio de Fitoquímicos y Nutrición, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Campus Juriquilla, Avenida de las Ciencias, 76230 Querétaro, Mexico.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterize the naturalized Sudanese jatropha (Jatropha curcas L) seed kernel for its proximate composition, minerals, phenolics and fatty acids properties. The results showed 52% crude fat and 24% crude protein in Jatropha seed kernel. Also fatty acid classified as oleic acid (45%) and linoleic acid (35%) group was found in Jatropha kernel. Jatropha kernel had total soluble phenolics of about 625 mg GAE/100 g DW and was characterized by the presence of vanillic acid (112 mg/100 g DW), cinnamic acid (64 mg/100 g DW) and gallic acid (44 mg/100 g DW). These characterizations might expand the socio-economic potential and value of Sudanese Jatropha curcas L. as a medicinal plant in addition to its oil production. The edibility of seeds depends on the quality and quantity of anti-nutritional factors and the possibility of detoxification which need further investigation.
Keywords: Fatty acids, Jatropha curcas, minerals, phenolics, proximate, composition