Abstract
Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) has been identified as a potential bioenergy feedstock in arid regions, but knowledge of the diversity of its chemical characteristics is limited. In this study, 61 Jatropha accessions growing in Botswana, where both severe drought and winter frosts frequently occur, were analyzed for their seed chemical properties. Histogram analyses and meta-analysis comparisons with seeds from other countries/continents showed that the median/mean dry seed weight, toxic compound phorbol esters, and C18:0 fatty acid levels in the Botswanan accessions were lower than those from other countries/continents. A clustered heat map analysis indicated five clades for the Botswanan accessions, and their physicochemical traits were also categorized into five groups. Many positive and negative correlations were observed among the chemical traits, including negative correlations between the C18:3 (linolenic acid) content and yield-related traits (lipid content and dry seed weight). Principal component analysis highlighted the existence of accessions with highly deviated seed chemical compositions, such as those enriched in C18:0/C18:1 and C16:0/C16:1/C18:3 fatty acids. Overall, the present study suggests considerable diversity in the seed chemical compositions of Botswanan Jatropha accessions. Various accessions could be useful as feedstock for specific industrial products, as well as for breeding materials for the fortification of specific chemical ingredients.
Highlights
Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) is a seed oil-bearing deciduous shrub belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family
Using seeds harvested from the experimental farm, the present study examined the characteristics and variation of seed chemical traits, such as lipid and phorbol ester (PE) contents and fatty acid composition, among various Botswanan Jatropha accessions
The average daily maximum temperature in the hottest month at the Jatropha collection sites in Botswana ranged from 30.0–36.4 ◦C (Figure 1D), which is comparable to the reported total range (27.6–41.6 ◦C) of Jatropha plantation sites worldwide [51]
Summary
Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) is a seed oil-bearing deciduous shrub belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. (Jatropha) is a seed oil-bearing deciduous shrub belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. Because of its impressive ability to survive under harsh environmental conditions, such as drought and extreme heat, Jatropha has received considerable attention as a feedstock material for bioenergy production in arid regions. Fatty acid composition is an important chemical trait because it affects many aspects of biofuel quality, such as combustion kinetics and oxidative stability [1,7]. Knowledge of the chemical traits of Jatropha is of critical importance from the perspective of environmental safety and health hazards. To further maximize the potential of this energy crop, a comprehensive investigation of the chemical properties of various Jatropha genetic resources is required
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