Extraction and analysis of Jatropha curcas L. seed oil

Abstract

Jatropha curcas L. is a multipurpose shrub with a variety of applications and enormous economic potentials for its seed oil, which can be converted into biodiesel- an alternative to petro-diesel. It aims to overcome energy crisis problem and also to reduce environmental changes. The fact that the oil of J. curcas cannot be used for nutritional purposes without detoxification makes its use as an energy source for fuel production very attractive. The present study deals with oil extraction by various methods and its physico-chemical analysis. In this study, extraction of Jatropha oil from seeds was optimized using organic solvents. The effects of parameters on the oil extraction namely type of organic solvents and different techniques were also investigated to optimize the processing conditions for achieving maximum oil yield. The acid value and antioxidant property of the oil were also investigated. The maximum oil yield was obtained by using Soxhlet extraction method and hexane as a solvent. Petroleum ether was found to be the best solvent; though its yield is lesser when compared with hexane and isopropanol. This is because it gives pure and colorless oil, whereas hexane gives faint yellow color oil. The acid value of oil was found to be 2.24 ± 0.01 mg KOH/g. The scavenging activity of leaf and oil extract was found to be 29.92 ± 4.72 and 19.94 ± 1.39%, respectively. The oil can also be used as a source of antioxidants.

Key words: Biodiesel fuel, oil, Soxhlet extraction, antioxidants.