Abstract
Today, a great interest in Jatropha-based products exists worldwide, mainly for the production of biofuel. However, the oil obtained from this plant is known to be toxic due to contained curcins and phorbol esters. Bioassays, including plant cytogenetic assays based on cell cycle observation, are useful for determining the toxicity of J. curcas oil. Hence, the aim of this study was to describe the mechanism of action of J. curcas oil by cell cycle analysis using Lactuca sativa as plant testing model. A decrease in root growth was observed, closely related to the reduction in mitotic index, along with an increase in condensed nuclei. J. curcas chemicals act both as aneugenic agents, leading to the formation of lagged, sticky chromosomes and c-metaphase cells, as well as clastogenic agents, inducing the formation of chromosome bridges and fragments. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of phorbol esters and other chemical components of J. curcas oil was determined and discussed.
Highlights
Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a promising plant for biofuel production (Li et al 2010, Devappa et al 2012)
We found that all applied treatments significantly reduced the elongation of roots compared to control (Table 1)
Analysis results on the effects of J. curcas oil on mitotic index (MI) showed significant differences for all tested concentrations in relation to the control
Summary
Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a promising plant for biofuel production (Li et al 2010, Devappa et al 2012). The assessment of toxicity of J. curcas oil has been determined by in vitro tests using lower organisms as models, including snails, brine shrimp, and daphnia, and animals such as mice and rats (MAKKAR; BECKER 1999, RAKSHIT et al 2008, Li et al 2010, Devappa et al 2012, Silva et al 2012). In these studies, toxic effects of the natural compounds present in J. curcas could be attributed mainly to phorbol esters (PEs), toxic phytochemicals commonly found in plants of the Euphorbiaceae family, primarily in the genus Jatropha. The concentrations of these compounds may vary according to the genetic characteristics of the plant; J. curcas oil has been reported to contain 70-75% of PEs, a diterpene soluble in lipids and extracted together with the oil (DEVAPPA et al 2012)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
