Quantification of Seed Oil Content and Fatty Acid Profile of Jatropha cucas L. from Guizhou, China

The methyl esters of fatty acids composition of the oil from jatropha curcas seeds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer GC-MS. Fourteen components were found to be representative with 99.52% of the total content of seed oils. The main constituents were unsaturated fatty acids (71.93%) and saturated fatty acids (27.59%). For the saturated fatty acids composition such as palmitic and stearic acid, the rate was 15.80% and 10.79%, respectively. Linoleic acid (39.58%) and oleic acid (30.41%) were obtained in highest concentration among the unsaturated fatty acids identified in the seeds oil of Jatropha curcas from Guizhou. This value also justifies the fluidity of the oil at room temperature. A high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (39.58%) and a slightly lower rate of monounsaturated fatty acids (32.35%) were also observed. The seed oils profile of Guizhou Jatropha curcas presents the desirable fatty acid C14 to C18 and interesting features for the biodiesel production.