In vitro Propagation of the Biodiesel Plant Jatropha curcas L

Biotechnological Research Progress in Jatropha, a Biodiesel-Yielding Plant

Environmental pollution is one of the most pressing challenges in today's world. The main cause of this pollution is fuel emissions from automobiles and other sources. As industrialization progresses, we will be unable to compromise on the use of energy to power heavy machines and will be forced to seek out the best options. As a consequence, utilizing green fuel, such as biodiesel derived from natural sources, is a realistic option. Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) is recognized as the greatest feedstock for biodiesel production throughout the world, and it has gained a huge market value in the recent years. Conventional cultivation alone will not be sufficient to meet the global need for the plant's biomass for the production of biodiesel. Adoption of plant tissue culture techniques that improve the biomass availability is an immediate need. The present review provides detailed information regarding in-vitro plant propagation (direct and indirect organogenesis), somatic embryogenesis, and acclimatization protocols of plantlets for stabilized production of biomass. The review also focuses on biotechnological approaches such as gene transformation studies, production of haploids, and double haploids for developing elite germplasm for high biomass and improved traits for the production of biodiesel.

Transformation of Jatropha curcas L. for production of larger seeds and increased amount of biodiesel

The development of green energy is important to mitigate global warming. Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) is a promising candidate for the production of alternative biofuel, which could reduce the burden on the Earth's resources. Jatropha seeds contain a large quantity of lipids that can be used to produce biofuel, and the rest of the plant has many other uses. Currently, techniques for plant genetic transformation are extensively employed to study, create, and improve the specific characteristics of the target plant. Successful transformation involves the alteration of plants and their genetic materials. The aim of this study was to generate Jatropha plants that can support biofuel production by increasing their seed size using genes found via the rice FOX-hunting system. The present study improved previous protocols, enabling the production of transgenic Jatropha in two steps: the first step involved using auxins and dark incubation to promote root formation in excised shoots and the second step involved delaying the timing of antibiotic selection in the cultivation medium. Transgenic plants were subjected to PCR analysis; the transferred gene expression was confirmed via RT-PCR and the ploidy level was investigated. The results suggest that the genes associated with larger seed size in Arabidopsis thaliana, which were found using the rice FOX-hunting system, produce larger seeds in Jatropha.

Optimized in vitro plant regeneration of the biodiesel plant Jatropha curcas L.: the effects of using seeds at different stages of maturity as starting materials

<em>Jatropha curcas</em> L. is an important biofuel plant that can be regenerated <em>in</em> <em>vitro</em> using seeds. The fruits of <em>J. curcas</em> do not reach maturity at the same time although they are on the same bunch. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of seeds, from fruits at different stages of maturity, on <em>in</em> <em>vitro</em> plantlet formation. Callus was induced on Murashige and Skoog medium using different concentrations of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6 benzylaminopurine (BAP). 2,4D at a concentration of 3.0 mg/L and BAP at 1.0 mg/L were found to be optimum for callus formation. <em>In vitro</em> plantlets obtained on BAP were smaller with thicker hypocotyl and thicker roots. On the other hand, seeds from mature fruits gave better results for <em>in</em> <em>vitro</em> plantlet regeneration on 1.0 mg/L BAP without any rooting medium. A combination of sand and soil were used for acclimatization. Best results were obtained when sand and soil were used in equal amounts. Results also showed that seed maturity is an important factor for <em>in vitro</em> plant regeneration of<em> J. curcas</em> and that root formation <em>in vitro</em> does not require additional plant growth regulator substance.