PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF THE SEED AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF THE POD OF JATROPHA CURCAS (PHYSIC NUT)

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PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF THE SEED AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF THE POD OF JATROPHA CURCAS (PHYSIC NUT)

ABSTRACT

Jatropha curcas is an ornamental plant and is also employed to cure various infections in traditional medicine. The proximate analysis of J. curcas seed was examined using method described by the Association of Analytical Chemist (AOAC, 2005). The aqueous extract of J. curcas pod was subjected to phytochemical screening for the presence of seven selected secondary metabolites (Treanse and Evans 2000, Sofowora 2003). The result of the proximate composition was shown to be Moisture 6%, Ash 4%, Fibre 10%, Fat 36%, Protein 27.2% and Carbohydrate 16.8% respectively. The phytochemical screening of the cold aqueous extract of the pod revealed the presence of Saponin, Tannin, Resin, Flavonoid and phenol but the absence of Alkaloids and amino acid. The proximate analysis shows that the seed is rich in Fat and protein. These results suggest that the seed oil can be used industrially to produce biodiesel. The phytochemicals present shows that this plant can be used for treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, skin diseases, rheumatism, malaria, muscular pain and for sores on domestic livestock (Reddy et al., 2012).

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Jatropha curcas belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and is closely related to other important cultivated plants like rubber tree and castor oil etc. common names in English includes physic nut, Barbados nut, poison nut, bubble bush or purging nut. J. curcas is a semi-evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 6m or more. The fruit have an “American  Football” type of shape of about 40mm length and contains 3 seeds (on average), which look like black beans with similar dimensions, of about 18mm long and 10mm wide. Normally, five roots are formed from seeds: one tap root and 4 lateral roots and cuttings do not develop a taproot only the laterals (Heller, 1996). The branches contain whitish latex, which causes brown stains that are difficult to remove. The plant is monoecious, occasionally hermaphrodite flowers occur (Dehgan and Webster, 1979). The seed coats constitute about 35-40% of the total seeds.Because of its indispensable benefits to mankind it was classified among the first plant in 1753 with a Botanical name “Jatropha” from a Greek word Jatro “meaning Doctor” and pha “meaning nutrition”. The plant is believed to be an origin of South America and Africa but later spread to other continents of the world by the Portuguese settlers (Gubitz, et al:, 1999). It is a vigorous drought and pest-tolerant plant that can grow on barren and eroded lands under harsh climatic conditions. It is easily established and grows very quickly. The life-span of Jatropha may fall between 35-50 years depending on the climatic conditions (Singh, et al., 2008) It is an ornamental plant naturalized in many tropical areas. The roots, stems, leaves seeds and fruits of the plant have been widely used in traditional folk medicine in many parts of West Africa.J. curcas has gained a world reputation as a plant that can be grown in wasteland and infertile land, which does not require much water, fertilizer and management, and has high oil yield (Chitra et al., 2005).

The seeds of J. curcashave been used as a purgative, antihelminthic and abortifacient as well as for treating ascites, gout, paralysis and skin diseases. The seed oil of the plant has been used as an ingredient in the treatment of rheumatic conditions, itch and parasitic skin diseases, and in the treatment of fever, jaundice and gonorrhea, as a diuretic agent, and a mouth-wash. The leaf has been used as a haemostatic agent and the bark as a fish poison. In certain African countries people are accustomed to chewing these seeds when in need of a laxative. Jatropha curcasseeds have been found to be highly effective against Strongyloides papillosus infection in goats. It has also been suggested that J. curcasseeds could be a useful chemotherapeutic agent provided that it agent is active at a non-lethal dose (Grainage and Ahmed, 1988). This may be because of its reported antihelminthic activity (Mok, 1991).

Several investigators have therefore developed interest in under-utilized  oil  seeds  as  an  alternative source of food and energy.  In  Nigeria,  there  exists  a  wide  variety of  oil  crops  ranging  from  the  largely  known  and highly-utilized  to  under-utilized  seed oils. One of such under-utilized seed is the J. curcas seed and its oil. (Oseni and Akindahunsi, 2011). All parts of Jatropha (seeds, leaves, bark, etc) have been used in traditional medicine and for veterinary purposes for a long time (Dalziel, 1955). Extensive public interest and expansion in the use of herbal medicine have led to new emphasis and drive in medical plant research.  The  research  approaches  taken recently include  activities  to  develop  herbal   medicines into  quality,  efficacious  and  safe  products  for human  consumption.  This can be an advantagefor J. curcas  to  expand  its  potential  as  herbal medicines  to  cure  many  illnesses  and  diseases. The  cure  for  these  illnesses  and  diseases  lies  in the  chemical  compositions  isolated  from  different parts  of  the  plant.  

1. Aim and Objectives

Aim

The aim of this study is to carry out the proximate analysis of the seed and phytochemical screening of the pod of Jatropha curcas (physic nut).

Objectives

1. To determine the moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude protein, fat and carbohydrate content of the seed.
2. To ascertain the presence of alkaloid, tannin, saponin, flavonoid, resins, phenol and amino acids by utilizing standard conventional protocols.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It is reported that the seed is used for the treatment of arthritis, gout and jaundice (Khafagy et al., 1977). The seed of this plant has also been used traditionally for the treatment of many ailments including burns, convulsions, fever and inflammation (Osoniyi and Onajobi, 2003). Jatropha adapts well to marginal lands as well as live fence, as farm animals do not browse it. The crop can easily be raised without any difficulty; the rural women can be engaged in all kinds of activities like raising seedlings, collection of seeds, de-shelling, etc. The large scale cultivation of J. curcason waste lands with poor soils and low rainfall in drought prone areas could provide regular employment and could improve their living conditions by providing additional income. Jatropha is not an alternative to agriculture or plantation but it is a new addition to it.

1.3 Justification

Many investigations have been done on the composition and content of the Jatropha seeds. The plant and its seeds are toxic to animals and humans and are therefore used worldwide as hedges to protect agricultural fields.  Due to potential demand and better marketing opportunities, cultivation of jatropha appears viable. Today there is considerable interest among biochemist and botanists to screen plants for secondary chemical compounds, which could be used for developing medicals and pesticides, particularly in the tropical rain forests where plant species are numerous but threatened with extinction (Downum et al., 1993).

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