PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACIDS COMPOSITION OF JATROPHA CURCAS SEED OIL IN JALINGO METROPOLIS, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Jatropha curcus is a perennial shrub belonging to the family of Euphorbiacea. It is native to
tropical and subtropical regions and is widely distributed in many Countries. The present study
evaluates the physicochemical properties and fatty acids composition of Jatropha curcas seed oil.
Jatropha seeds were collected from Jalingo metropolis and was de-shelled to obtain the endocarp
and properly picked to separate it from dirt’s. The clean de-shelled seeds were processed
mechanically to obtain the oil. Results for the physicochemical properties of the oil indicated that
Jatropha seed oil contains (117.81 mgKOH/g) Saponification value, (9.20 mgKOH/g) acid value,
(0.50 mEq/kg) Peroxide value and (12.69 g/100g) Iodine value; quantitative phytochemical on the
seed oil indicated the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and saponins in varied
concentrations. Fatty acids screening of Jatropha Seed oil extract revealed the presence of oleic
acid (33.14%) and lenoleic (32.95%). These parameters obtained revealed that Jatropha curcas
seed oil has good physicochemicals, possess some essential fatty acids.