Influence of the acid soils of tabasco mexico in the physicochemical composition of xuta or edible mexican pinion (jatropha curcas L.)

The composition of the soil affects the physicochemical properties of oil and seed of pinion; this has been evidenced in studies done in seeds of the states of Morelos, Sinaloa, Veracruz, and Tamaulipas, among others; however, there are no reports of evaluation of this species in Tabasco, a state with potential for the intensive production of this species. The physicochemical characteristics of the seeds and the oil of seeds harvested in the localities of Huimanguillo and Mantilla, Cunduacán, Tabasco, were evaluated. The seeds from Huimanguillo showed better physical characteristics: viz., seed weight (0.94 ± 0.099 g), length (19.7 ± 0.6 mm), and width (10.92 ± 0.3 mm); in addition their protein and oil content are higher than in the seeds harvested in Mantilla. However, the concentration of protein presented was lower than in any of the seeds grown in other states. These said materials could be recommended for the biodiesel industry because of its high oil content and valuable physicochemical characteristics, which supports that the state of Tabasco has ideal ecoclimatic characteristics suitable for cultivation. The results obtained from the oil analysis show no significant difference in the values of acidity, saponification, peroxide, iodine, viscosity, and specific density compared to the oils obtained in the different locations of this study. The fatty acid profile indicated a greater quantity of oleic and linoleic acid (34-36.5%) and a low content of myristic acid (1.1-1.5%) and palmitoleic acid (1.3-2.4%).