ANIRUDDHA PAWAR, SWAPNIL SHEVATE, K.D. GOPALE, R.S. ZUNJARRAO AND R.K. PATHAK
Abstract
Jatropha curcas is recognized as most potential species for Biodiesel production, because the seeds contain high oil content (30-38%) and can be grown under different landuse situations. Jatropha curcas seeds from different agro-climatic areas of Maharashtra were analyzed for intraspecific variations. Seeds collected from 20 districts of Maharashtra were clubbed into 4 regions: Western Maharashtra region, Konkan region, Central Maharashtra region and Vidarbha region on the basis of different climatic conditions. Jatropha curcas seeds were analyzed for their variation in Oil percentage by using Soxhlet apparatus, crude Protein concentration by Folin-Lowry method and Phorbol esters concentration by HPLC in the laboratory. The lowest percentage of Oil was found in Konkan region - 27.243 % while, the rest of three regions had nearly the same readings, Vidarbha region - 33.830 %, Western Maharashtra region - 34.368 % and the region of Central Maharashtra recorded the highest percentage of Oil - 34.372 %. There was substantial variation in protein concentration. The Konkan region recorded the lowest protein concentration - 47.65 mg/g. However, the Central Maharashtra recorded - 61.79 mg/g, followed by Western Maharashtra region - 66.34 mg/g and the region of Vidarbha recorded highest protein conc. - 82.41 mg/g. The Phorbol esters concentration showed subtle variation. The Central Maharashtra region recorded the lowest concentration - 2.056mg/g, Konkan region - 2.120mg/g, followed by Western Maharashtra region - 2.162mg/g and the Vidarbha region recorded the highest concentration 2.312 mg/g.