American Journal of Food Technology1557-45711557-458XAcademic Journals Inc.10.3923/ajft.2011.158.165Jatropha curcas L.]]>OseniO.A. AkindahunsiA.A. 2201162The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of microbial fermentation of Jatropha curcas L. seed (Barbados nut or Physic nut) or (Lapalapa) in Yoruba Language which are nutritionally underutilized. The study also sought to screen for some phytochemicals, determine the proximate, anti nutrient and some antioxidant properties of the fermented and non-fermented seed powder of Jatropha curcas L. to establish the multi-purpose usefulness of the seed, as well as determine the physicochemical properties of the extracted oil. The results showed that fermentation caused slight decrease in the carbohydrate, fat and crude fiber contents but enhanced the protein and ash contents of the seed while the antinutrient contents (tannins, phytate, oxalate and trypsin inhibitor) was observed to decrease as a result of fermentation. The antioxidant properties also witnessed a decrease in percentage 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition, amount of total phenolic compounds and super oxide anion radical inhibition as a result of fermentation. The phytochemical screening of methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts showed positive results for some secondary metabolites like tannins, glycosides, steroids, saponins and alkaloids in the unfermented seeds but slightly positive for the fermented seeds. The physicochemical analyses of the oil such as acid value, iodine value, saponification value, peroxide value and free fatty acid of unfermented seed appear to be higher than the fermented seed. The results of the analyses showed that the seed of Jatropha curcas possessed good antioxidant potentials and if fermented could enhance its nutritional qualities and reduce its anti-nutrients properties.]]>Achten, W.M.J., E. Mathijs, L. Verchot, V.P. Singh, R. Aerts and B. Muys,2007Jatropha biodiesel fueling sustainability?]]>1283291Achten, W.M.J., L. Verchot, Y.J. Franken, E. Mathijs, V.P. Singh, R. Aerts and B. Muys,2008Jatropha bio-diesel production and use.]]>3210631084Amic, D., D. Davidovic-Amic, D. Beslo and N. Trinajstic,2003765561AOAC,199015th Edn.,pp: 1250-1255pp: 1250-1255Chopra, R.N., S.L. Nayar and I.C. Chopra,1956pp: 45pp: 45Esuoso, K.O. and S.M. Odetokun,1995Biphia sapida seed oils.]]>7277Gad, A.S., A.M. Kholif and A.F. Sayed,20105250259Gubitz, G.M., M. Mittelbach and M. Trabi,1999Jatropha curcas L.]]>677382Gyamfi, M.A., M. Yonamine and Y. Aniya,1999Thonningia sanguinea on experimentally-induced liver injuries.]]>32661667Harborne, J.B.,1973pp: 49-188pp: 49-188Kadeka, M.L., D.E. Hoffa and L.E. Liener,197410317721780Makkar, H.P.S., M. Blummel, N.K. Borowy and K. Becker,199361161165Makkar, H.P.S., K. Becker, F. Sporer and M. Wink,1997Jatropha curcas.]]>4531523157Makkar, H.P.S. and K. Becker,199912467480Mansouri, A., G. Embarek, E. Kokkalou and P. Kefalas,2005Phoenix dactylifera).]]>89411420Martinez, M.,19595th Edn.,pp: 25pp: 25Martinez, C.A., E. Louriero and M.A. Oliva,2001Solanum curtibolum and freezing sensitive Solanum tuberrosum subjected to oxidative stress.]]>160505515Matsuse, T.I., Y.A. Lim, M. Hattori, M. Correa and M.P. Gupta,1999641522Mahanta, N., A. Gupta and S.K. Khare,2008Pseudomonas aeruginosa PseA in solid-state fermentation using Jatropha curcas seed cake as substrate.]]>9917291735Oboh, G. and A.A. Akindahunsi,2004182936Oladele, E.P. and A.A. Oshodi,2008Jatropha cathartica) and physic nut (Jatropha curcas) seeds.]]>7292296Oseni, O.A. and M. Ekperigin,2007Aspergillus niger.]]>197579Singleton, V.L., R. Orthofer and R.M. Lamuela-Raventos,19991999pp: 152-178pp: 152-178Sofowara, A.,1993Pages: 289Pages: 289Sun, J., Y.F. Chu, X. Wu and R.H. Liu,20025074497454Trease, G.E. and W.C. Evans,198911th Edn.,Wang, H., G. Cao and R.L. Prior,199644701705Wheeler, E.L. and R.E. Ferrel,197148312320Oboh, G.,200538513517Fairless, D.,2007449652655Burkill, H.M.,19942nd Edn,pp: 90-94pp: 90-94