Use of Jatropha curcas L. (Non-Toxic Variety) as Traditional Food and Generation of New Products in Mexico

Abstract

Jatropha curcas belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and is considered to have originated from Central America, most probably Mexico. The non-toxic J. curcas variety is known only in Mexico and it grows in several places of Veracruz and Puebla state. These regions are called as Totonacapan, where the Totonaca culture was developed. Based on empirical knowledge that the seed was used to prepare various edible dishes, it is envisaged to develop a number of food products from seed and flour with a beneficial impact on society and in highly marginalized communities where J. curcas grows natively. The traditional dishes, to mention the pulacles and pipian are consumed 1–2 times per week. Other industrial foods made from J. curcas seeds and seed meal have been elaborated. The flour of J. curcas has an important nutritional value for the bread, cookies, noodles enrichment, wheat flour tortillas which increased the protein content. Finally the use of J. curcas non-toxic press cake as chicken feed has been achieved which is very promising, and hopefully can replace soybean meal thereby providing scope for reducing the cost of feed. For this, the seed of J. curcas non-toxic varieties will be very valuable to increase the nutritional value of various food products made from wheat and corn, principally, that may be used in Mexico and other developing countries.