Features of Jatropha curcas seed oil in relation to different pollination methods

Abstract

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) is an attractive feedstock for producing standard-satisfied biodiesel. This study aimed to fill a knowledge gap of some aspects on fruit and seed biology of this biodiesel plant, by determining whether or not the pollination method affected seed oil accumulation and the development of fruit, embryo and endosperm as well as lipid storage in embryo and endosperm. For seed oil content, no significant difference was observed among open, cross-, self- and non-pollinated (apomixis) seeds. The maximum fruit and seed set, and the highest content of oleic acid were obtained from open pollination. The fruit diameter growth was well fit by a single sigmoid shape (R2 = 0.90). The contents of oil and oleic acid were higher in the endosperm than in the embryo. The oil bodies isolated from both embryo and endosperm tissues mainly contained triacylglycerol (TAG) and integrated proteins termed caleosins and oleosins.

Keywords

• pollination method
• oil content
• oleic acid
• oil body
• jatropha seed