Nutritional Value of Jatropha curcas Seeds and the Effect of some Physical and Chemical Treatments- with Special Reference to Chhattisgarh State

Jatropha curcas can help to increase rural incomes, from plantations and agro-industries. Jatropha curcas is a valuable multi-purpose crop to alleviate soil degradation and aforestation, which can be used for bio-energy to replace petro-diesel, for soap production and climatic protection, and hence, deserves specific attention. In the present study physical characteristics of Jatropha curcas seeds were studied. The average of whole seed mass, kernel weight, shell weight, percentage kernel mass of whole seeds and percentage shell mass of whole seeds were 0.74, 0.51, 0.23, 70.88 gram and 29.12 per cent, respectively. Chemical composition proved that Jatropha curcas seeds are a good source of protein (32.91 %), oil (26.92 %) and carbohydrates (30.01 %). The seeds are rich in various micro-elements, that is manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) which recorded 27.99, 0.41 and 45.90 mg/kg, respectively as well as macro-elements, that is potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P), which recorded 102.79, 34.13, 8.46, 111.0 and 183.70 mg/kg, respectively.