Physico-chemical characteristics of Jatropha curcas L. of North East India for exploration of biodiesel

Oil content of wild genotypes of Jatropha curcas L. collected from Assam, North East India, was studied. A total of 20 genotypes were used to investigate the oil content and variation in the oil content was found to be between 23.70 and 46.60%. Among them four high oil yielding genotypes was selected. Physicochemical properties of the oil and biodiesel obtained from those four genotypes were analyzed to check the suitability of these genotypes as potential candidate for biodiesel production. The gas chromatographic (GC) analysis showed amount of total monounsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid) is more in comparison to polyunsaturated fatty acid. 1H NMR profile of the oil and biodiesel demonstrated the successful conversion to methyl ester. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under nitrogen and oxygen environment revealed the thermal and oxidative stability of oil and methyl esters. The obtained results were found to be within acceptable range of standards specifications of ASTM D6751, showing a promising source for biodiesel production in North East India.