Quantitative and qualitative analyses of seed storage proteins from toxic and non-toxic varieties of Jatropha curcas L

摘要

Interest in Jatropha curcas has increased noticeably due to the multifunctional characteristics of the plant. Of particular interest is the high oil content pf the seeds which can be used for biodiesel production. The extraction of the oil from the seeds leaves a meal highly enriched in protein (crude protein ~ 60%), providing a potential protein source for animal nutrition. In order to characterise the seed proteins, protein fractions were extracted from defatted kernel meals of three varieties of J. curcas, a toxic and a non-toxic variety from Mexico, and a toxic variety from Cape Verde, and analysed with respect to their amino acid composition, rumen degradability and gastric digestibility.