Biotechnological and Biochemical Study for Improvement of Non-Toxic Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.)

Biotechnological and Biochemical Study for Improvement of Non-Toxic Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.)

Jatropha curcas L. (physic nut) is a bush or small tree and belongs to the euphorbia family. The genus Jatropha contains approximately 170 known species. Increasing J. curcas production as a biofuel source will increase seed cake as a by-product which is rich in protein and essential amino acids except lysine. However, major constituents contained in the seed cake are toxic compound like Phorbol which contain antinutritional factors. The toxic genotype is common but the nontoxic genotypes exist only in Mexico. Because of Phorbol ester present in seeds and vegetative parts, its use as edible feedstock become narrow. Present investigation is to study and validate the toxic and nontoxic segregants of Jatropha. The attempt is also being made to identify derivatives with low toxin based on variability for Phorbol ester content in segregating population through HPLC and also to validate the protocol already utilized to classify toxic and non -toxic plants based on molecular analysis using ISSR and RAPD primers. The present findings reveal matching values for Phorbol content and the segregant with no toxin to optimal content extend opportunities of molecular breeding and selection to develop varieties with low Phorbol content..