Jatropha

Jatropha
Spicy Jatropha (Jatropha integerrima)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subfamily: Crotonoideae
Tribe: Jatropheae
Genus: Jatropha
L.[1]
Species

Approximately 170, see Section Species.

Jatropha is a genus of flowering plants in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The name is derived from the Greek words ἰατρός (iatros), meaning "physician", and τροφή (trophe), meaning "nutrition", hence the common name physic nut. Another common name is nettlespurge.[2] It contains approximately 170 species of succulent plants, shrubs and trees (some are deciduous, like Jatropha curcas). Most of these are native to the Americas, with 66 species found in the Old World.[3] Plants produce separate male and female flowers. As with many members of the family Euphorbiaceae, Jatropha contains compounds that are highly toxic. Jatropha species have traditionally been used in basketmaking, tanning and dye production. In the 2000s, one species, Jatropha curcas, generated interest as an oil crop for biodiesel production.

Uses

Further information: Jatropha curcas § Uses
Jatropha pandurifolia in China

The stems of haat (Jatropha cuneata) are used for basketmaking by the Seri people in Sonora, Mexico. The stems are roasted, split and soaked through an elaborate process. The reddish dye that is often used is made from the root of another plant species, Krameria grayi. Spicy jatropha (J. integerrima) is cultivated as an ornamental in the tropics for its continuously blooming crimson flowers. Buddha belly plant (J. podagrica) was used to tan leather and produce a red dye in Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is also used as a house plant.

The oil from Jatropha curcas is mainly converted into biodiesel for use in diesel engines. The cake can be used for fish or animal feed (if detoxified), biomass feedstock to power electricity plants, or as biogas or high-quality organic fertilizer. In 2007, Goldman Sachs cited Jatropha curcas as one of the best candidates for future biodiesel production.[4] It is resistant to drought and pests, and produces seeds containing 27-40% oil,[5] averaging 34.4%.[6] The remaining press cake of jatropha seeds after oil extraction could also be considered for energy production.[7] However, despite their abundance and use as oil and reclamation plants, none of the Jatropha species have been properly domesticated and, as a result, their productivity is variable, and the long-term impact of their large-scale use on soil quality and the environment is unknown.[8] 2009 research found that Jatropha biodiesel production requires significantly more water than other common biofuel crops, and that initial yield estimates were high.[9]

Jatropha curcas is also being studied for use as a Carbon sequestration plant in arid regions.[10]

Toxicity

Much like other members of the family Euphorbiaceae, members of the genus Jatropha contain several toxic compounds. The seeds of Jatropha curcas contain the highly poisonous toxalbumin curcin, a lectin dimer. They also contain carcinogenic phorbol.[11] Despite this, the seeds are occasionally eaten after roasting, which reduces some of the toxicity. Its sap is a skin irritant, and ingesting as few as three untreated seeds can be fatal to humans. In 2005 Western Australia banned Jatropha gossypiifolia as invasive and highly toxic to people and animals.[12]

Selected species

Jatropha gossypiifolia in Hyderabad, India.
Jatropha multifida
Jatropha podagrica in Hyderabad, India.

Formerly placed here

Synonyms

References

  1. 1 2 "Genus: Jatropha L". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2007-10-05. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  2. ↑ "Jatropha". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  3. ↑ Heller, Joachim (1996). Promoting the Conservation and Use of Underutilized and Neglected Crops Volume 1: Physic Nut, Jatropha Curcas L. Bioversity International. p. 7. ISBN 9789290432784.
  4. ↑ Jatropha Plant Gains Steam In Global Race for Biofuels
  5. ↑ Achten WMJ, Mathijs E, Verchot L, Singh VP, Aerts R, Muys B 2007. Jatropha biodiesel fueling sustainability?. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining 1(4), 283-291. doi:10.1002/bbb.39The Jatropha Archives
  6. ↑ Achten WMJ, Verchot L, Franken YJ, Mathijs E, Singh VP, Aerts R, Muys B 2008. Jatropha bio-diesel production and use. (a literature review) Biomass and Bioenergy 32(12), 1063-1084. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2008.03.003The Jatropha Archives
  7. ↑ Jongschaap REE, Blesgraaf RAR, Boogaard TA, Van Loo EN, Savenije HHG. The water footprint of bioenergy from Jatropha curcas L. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106(35)E92. doi:10.1073/pnas.0907272106
  8. ↑ World Agroforestry Centre (2007) When oil grows on trees World Agroforestry Centre press release. 26 April 2009.
  9. ↑ Morrison, Chris (9 June 2009). "Miracle Biofuel Plant Jatropha Reveals Its Achilles Heel". CBS. CBS Money Watch. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  10. ↑ K. Becker, V. Wulfmeyer, T. Berger, J. Gebel, and W. Münch: "K. Becker1, V. Wulfmeyer2, T. Berger3, J. Gebel4, and W. Münch", Earth system dynamics, 4, 237-251, 2013.
  11. ↑ http://www.drugsandpoisons.com/2008/01/lectins-peas-and-beans-gone-bad.html
  12. ↑ MacIntyre, Ben (2007-07-08). "Poison plant could help to cure the planet". London: The Times. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  13. ↑ Staff, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Jatropha pandurifolia
  14. 1 2 "Species Records of Jatropha". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
  15. ↑ "Jatropha". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
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