Phytochemical and oil quality analyses of medicinal plant of Jatropha curcas L.

Abstract

This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and oil quality of Jatropha oil collected from two states in southwest Nigeria. Jatropha curcas is a promising plant with potentials for biodiesel production, industrial, pharmaceutical and medicinal applications.The aim of this study is to analyze the phytochemical constituents and oil quality of Jatropha curcas seeds based on geographical locations and infer the medicinal property aside the biodiesel property. Seeds were collected from Abeokuta and Ibadan, in Ogun and Oyo states respectively. Extraction of oil from seeds was done mechanically with Grazia hydraulic press machine for 24 hrs. Phytochemical analysis was done by standard methods and the quality of oil was analysed using model VN 203 spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0 software on the quantitative phytochemicals and oil quality data collected. Mean was separated with Duncan multiple using one way analysis of variance. Results showed significant differences among the phenolic, flavonoid and alkanoid constituents at P<0.05. Jatropha oil from Abeokuta has the highest mean phenolic and flavonoid contents with 23.33µg GAE/mg and 17.14µg QUE/mg respectively and low free fatty acid (0.61), acid value (1.55), saponification value (116.78), iodine value (78.58) and peroxide value (2.48). The higher phenolic and flavonoid contents suggest that Jatropha oil from Abeokuta may have better antioxidant properties, potentially stronger anti-inflammatory effects and greater potential for free radical scavenging. The higher alkaloid content in Ibadan samples indicates possibly stronger biological activities, potential medicinal properties and could contribute to the oil's antimicrobial properties. The potential reasons for these quality differences between Jatropha oils from Ibadan and Abeokuta could be climate variations, rainfall pattern, and timing of harvest among others.