Bioenergy and Industrial Products from Jatropha Curcas

In the last few years the potential of the drought resistant tropical tree Jatropha curcas Linn (Euphorbiaceae) for the production of biofuels and industrial products has been assessed. Biologically active substances have been isolated and characterized from all parts of the plant and their mechanism of action has been studied in relation to a great number of applications of J. curcas in traditional medicine. Substances such as phorbol esters responsible for the toxicity of J. curcas to mammals have been isolated and their molluscidal, insecticidal and fungicidal properties have been demonstrated in lab scale experiments and field trials. In this project we investigate and develop various biotechnological processes related to the exploitation of J. curcas including the enzyme supported oil extraction, anaerobic fermentation of the press cake, microbial detoxification and the isolation of anti-inflammatory substances.