Seed oil evaluation of the desert plant Jatropha peiranoi and its potential as feedstock for biofuel

Abstract

Jatropha peiranoi is a plant native to the Monte Desert of Northwest Argentina, where harsh arid conditions prevail. In this work we describe for the first time fruit yield and seed oil characteristics of wild plants, in order to evaluate its potential as a biodiesel source. The seeds showed considerable high oil content, averaging 47% of total seed mass, and high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, mainly linoleic and oleic acids (66% and 18%, respectively). Our results show that, though J. peiranoi has potential as an oilseed crop especially suitable for deserts, systematic and selective breeding should be carried out in order to develop higher seed yielding lines with high oil yield.