Benefits and Challenges of Jatropha Meal as Novel Biofeed for Animal Production

Abstract

Jatropha curcas L. has gained importance as a source of seed oil for biodiesel production. The meal contained about 60% protein with a good balance of essential amino acids, containing various bioactive compounds, including saponins, phytic acids, trypsin inhibitors, lectins, phenolics, and flavonoids, which render it as a potential biofeed for animal production. The Jatropha meal demonstrated various biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects which enhance its property as a bio-feed. The levels of these bioactive compounds in the seeds are dependent on the genotypes. The J. curcas possessed different varieties which are either toxic or non-toxic according to the presence of phorbol esters. The presence of phorbol esters in the meal confirmed the toxic variety of Jatropha resulting in the limited application of meal as a biofeed. The Jatropha meal devoid of phorbol esters could be applied as a biofeed in the animal production industry, and for the toxic varieties, various techniques such as physicochemical and biological treatments have been introduced to the industry to remove the phorbol esters from Jatropha meal. Several studies employing various cells and animals confirmed the toxicity of the phorbol esters. The molecular mechanism of action of phorbol esters is through up-regulation of PKC-β II gene, overexpression of down-stream proto-oncogenes resulted in inflammation and oxidative stress ending by apoptotic cell death. Despite the presence of valuable bioactive compounds in the Jatropha meal, its nutritional application is not recommended unless the phorbol esters are completely removed.

Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation in RAW 264.7 Cells of Jatropha cordata Bark Extracts

“…These signals belong to fatty acids and aromatics ( Figure 1 c). Oskoueian et al [ 30 ] report the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl, methyl groups, fixed anionic, and cationic traces with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities in J. curcas flour.…”

Detoxification Methods of Jatropha curcas Seed Cake and Its Potential Utilization as Animal Feed

“…According to Makkar and Becker [18], JSC has trypsin inhibitory activity similar to that of soybean meal and is found in all parts of the kernel [29]. Trypsin inhibitors have been linked to pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia [30], disrupting the digestive processes in monogastric animals and consequently stunting growth [8,31]. Ruminants are less sensitive to plant bioactive compounds than monogastric animals because rumen bacteria can greatly break down lectins, phytate, and trypsin inhibitors [31].…”

“…As a defense mechanism against viruses, pests, and predators, saponins execute their principal biological effects through contact with membrane components. Characterized by their hemolytic activity and foaming properties, saponins influence the permeability of the small cells of the intestinal mucosa, thereby affecting the transport of active nutrients [31,32,39]. Since Jatropha saponins are non-hemolytic and are present in both poisonous and non-toxic forms of the plant at comparable concentrations, authors have suggested that they are relatively innocuous [31,40].…”