Jatropha curcas seed oil, which can be utilized for biodiesel production upon transesterification, is also rich in phorbol esters (PEs). In this study, PEs from J. curcas oil (Jatropha factors C₁ and C₂ (purified to homogeneity), Jatropha factors C₃ and (C₄+C₅) (obtained as mixtures) and PE-rich extract (containing all the above stated Jatropha factors) were investigated. The concentrations of Jatropha PEs were expressed equivalent to Jatropha factor C₁. In the snail (Physa fontinalis) bioassay, the order of potency (EC₅₀, μg/L) was: PE-rich extract<factor C₃ mixture<factor C₂<factor C₁<factor (C₄+C₅). In the Artemia salina bioassay, the order of potency (EC₅₀, mg/L) was: factor C₂<factor C₃ mixture<factor C₁<factor (C₄+C₅) mixture. In addition, Jatropha PEs exhibited platelet aggregation (ED₅₀, μM, factor C₂<factor C₃ mixture<factor C₁<factor (C₄+C₅) mixture. The stability of a PE-rich extract was evaluated and found to be low at room temperature but favourable in ethanol over a range of temperatures. By integrating the isolation methodology developed in this study in the Jatropha biodiesel industry, PEs could be obtained as value-added co-products.
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