Jatropha curcas, a biofuel crop: Functional genomics for understanding metabolic pathways and genetic improvement

Abstract

Jatropha curcas is currently attracting much attention as an oilseed crop for biofuel, as Jatropha can grow under climate and soil conditions that are unsuitable for food production. However, little is known about Jatropha, and there are a number of challenges to be overcome. In fact, Jatropha has not really been domesticated; most of the Jatropha accessions are toxic, which renders the seedcake unsuitable for use as animal feed. The seeds of Jatropha contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which negatively impact the biofuel quality. Fruiting of Jatropha is fairly continuous, thus increasing costs of harvesting. Therefore, before starting any improvement program using conventional or molecular breeding techniques, understanding gene function and the genome scale of Jatropha are prerequisites. This review presents currently available and relevant information on the latest technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) to decipher important metabolic pathways within Jatropha, such as oil and toxin synthesis. Further, it discusses future directions for biotechnological approaches in Jatropha breeding and improvement.

Proteome Analyses of Jatropha curcas

“…The press cake from seeds, rich in protein (60-63 %), could be an ideal protein source with a high content of essential amino acids, even higher than soybean (45 %) (Maghuly and Laimer 2013). However, seeds of toxic J. curcas contain a range of toxins and anti-nutritional compounds which render the seedcake and oil unsuitable for use as animal feed and for human consumption (Maghuly and Laimer 2013).…”

“…The press cake from seeds, rich in protein (60-63 %), could be an ideal protein source with a high content of essential amino acids, even higher than soybean (45 %) (Maghuly and Laimer 2013). However, seeds of toxic J. curcas contain a range of toxins and anti-nutritional compounds which render the seedcake and oil unsuitable for use as animal feed and for human consumption (Maghuly and Laimer 2013). Accordingly, in an effort toward better understanding, engineering, and to determine gene function simultaneously, the detail proteomics analysis of J. curcas is necessary (Maghuly and Laimer 2013).…”

Manipulation of Auxin Response Factor 19 affects seed size in the woody perennial Jatropha curcas

“…Woody plants are usually perennials with strong secondary xylem that can efficiently transport water and nutrients from root to leaf. Jatropha curcas (Jatropha ) is one promising new energy crop with high seed oil content, tolerance to drought and an ability to thrive in poor soil26. Furthermore, the reduction of green house gas emission for generating 1 gigajoule energy can be at least 40–107% with respect to fossil diesel272829.…”

Chemical and Physical Mutagenesis in Jatropha curcas

“…improvement (Maghuly and Laimer 2013). In fact, the ultimate breeding objectives of the J. curcas accessions are to reduce toxicity and improve productivity under adverse climatic conditions.…”

“…In fact, the ultimate breeding objectives of the J. curcas accessions are to reduce toxicity and improve productivity under adverse climatic conditions. To increase genetic diversity, mutagenesis can be applied for plant improvement (Maghuly and Laimer 2013;Carels 2013).…”