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Properties of Jatropha Oil
The Jatropha plant has shot into the limelight primarily owing to the lipid content in its seeds. The oil (lipid) contains triglycerides which can be changed into alkyl esters using the transesterification process.
In addition to being a feedstock candidate for biodiesel, the Jatropha oil could also find other uses owing to its chemical constituents and composition. This chapter provides more details on the properties, constituents and uses of Jatropha oil.
Properties & Chemical Composition of Jatropha Oil
- J. curcas contains rare natural products, for example cyclic peptides, which are known to be potent antibacterial, anticancer and immunosuppressive drugs.
- Two major cyclopeptides, curcacyline A and B have been isolated from J. curcas latex consisting of nine amino acids as known for the commercially used cyclosporine. For both natural products significant immunosuppressive activity was found.
- Especially in the fatty oil, but also in all other parts of the plants, the natural product group of diterpenoids is present.
- Lectins are of high pharmaceutical interest because of selected drug targeting properties for cancer cells, parasitic microorganisms and immunocompetent cells. Jatropha lectins are present in safe and non toxic levels in Jatropha varieties. Study on non-toxic lectins for drug targeting strategies is essential since it is actually an emerging field in nanobiotechnology.
Physical and Chemical Properties
|
Property |
Jatropha Oil |
|
Flash point |
240/110 °C |
|
Carbon residue |
0.64 |
|
Cetane value |
51 |
|
Distillation point (°C) |
295 °C |
|
Kinematic Viscosity |
50.73 cs |
|
Sulphur% |
0.13% |
|
Calorific value |
9470 Kcal/kg |
|
Pour point |
8 °C |
|
Colour |
4 |
|
Specific gravity |
(15 °C/4 °C) 0.917/ 0.923(0.881) |
|
Solidifying Point |
2.0°C |
|
Refractive Index @ 30°C |
1.47 |
|
Acid value |
1.0 - 38.2 |
Chemical Composition
|
Moisture |
6.20% |
|
Protein |
18.00% |
|
Fat |
38.00% |
|
Carbohydrates |
17.00% |
|
Fiber |
15.50% |
|
Ash |
5.30% |
The oil contains 21% saturated fatty acids and 79% unsaturated fatty acids. The major acids present are palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid.
Related Links
- Introduction to the Biofuel Industry
- Properties of Jatropha
- Characteristics of Jatropha
- Extracting Jatropha Oil
- Pre-extraction of Jatropha Oil
- Extraction of Oil from Jatropha Seed
- Filtration & Purification of Jatropha Oil
- Clarification of the Oil
- Getting Clean Jatropha Oil
- Refining the pure Oil
- Typical Processes & Equipments for Jatropha Oil Refinery Plants
- Removing the toxins from the Meal
- Uses of Jatropha Meal
- Properties of Jatropha Oil
- Global Biodiesel Production and Capacity
- Global Market View on Jatropha
- Strategies for Financing
- Status of Jatropha in Asia
- Status of Jatropha in Europe
- Status of Jatropha in Africa
- Status of Jatropha in South America
- Status of Jatropha in North America
- Status of Jatropha Oil Production in India
- Genetic Engineering in Jatropha
- Status of Genetic Engineering of Jatropha in India
- Present Market Scenario for Jatropha
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