Abstract
J. curcas and J. macrocarpa are useful for restoring degraded areas and their seeds contain oils for biodiesel production. The aim of the work was to determine the reserve substances in the endosperm and the embryo of J. curcas and J. macrocarpa which is important in understanding the germination process, the establishment of these species and its industrial employment. Seeds were imbibed in distilled water for 24 h, to facilitate removal of seed coat with the aim to separate the embryo and nutritive tissues. In both species, the endosperm contained aleurone grains consisting of a crystalloid and globoid, lipids of red color and the starch was not observed. Four major fatty acids were determined in J. curcas seed: oleic, palmitic, stearic, palmitoleic and oleic fatty acid represents about 70% oil content. Oleic acid was the most abundant in J. macrocarpa seeds, while, there was not palmitoleic acid. Seed with predominantly unsaturated fatty acids is ideal for biodiesel industry. The means of the sugar content were: 14.3 μg/mg in endosperm and 104.76 μg/mg in embryo of J. curcas and 6.48 μg/mg in endosperm and 59.20 μg/mg in embryo of J. macrocarpa. The means of the protein content were: 4.2 μg/mg in endosperm and 45.02 μg/mg in embryo of J. curcas and 3.26 μg/mg in endosperm and 31.08 μg/mg in embryo of J. macrocarpa. Sugar and protein contents of Jatropha seeds were significantly higher in embryo in both species (p 0.1), which suggests early mobilization towards the embryo during imbibition period.
Highlights
J. curcas and J. macrocarpa are useful for restoring degraded areas and their seeds contain oils for biodiesel production
It is widely accepted that Jatropha curcas L. and Jatropha macrocarpa Griseb. (Euphorbiaceae) are perennial species adapted to marginal conditions not suitable for agriculture and have been exploited for oil and biodiesel production [1]
To contribute to the knowledge on seed metabolism in this species, it is essential to know the reserve of macromolecules that are converted into soluble metabolites that are mobilized to be used during growth and respiration
Summary
It is widely accepted that Jatropha curcas L. and Jatropha macrocarpa Griseb. (Euphorbiaceae) are perennial species adapted to marginal conditions not suitable for agriculture and have been exploited for oil and biodiesel production [1]. (Euphorbiaceae) are perennial species adapted to marginal conditions not suitable for agriculture and have been exploited for oil and biodiesel production [1]. Both species growing in semi-arid and arid soils and their non-edible seeds have high oil content [2]. The quality of the biodiesel produced depends on the composition of fatty acids. These differ in three characteristics: the size of the hydrocarbon chain, the number of unsaturation and the presence of chemical groups. A good deal of attention has been paid to the fact that biodiesel with a predominance of combined monounsaturated fatty acids, presents high quality [3]. Seeds have been studied as to the chemical composition of their reserves in order to determine their nutritional value and because their reserve constituents have great importance for obtaining industrial products [4]
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