Jatropha curcas seed shells are the by-product obtained during oil extraction process. Recently, its chemical composition has gained attention since its potential applications. The aim of this study was to identify phenolic compounds profile from a non-toxic J. curcas shell from Mexico, besides, evaluate J. curcas shell methanolic extract (JcSME) antioxidant activity. Free, conjugate and bound phenolics were fractionated and quantified (606.7, 193.32 and 909.59 μg/g shell, respectively) and 13 individual phenolic compounds were detected by HPLC. The radical-scavenging activity of JcSME was similar to Trolox and ascorbic acid by DPPH assay while by ABTS assay it was similar to BHT. Effective antioxidant capacity by ORAC was found (426.44 ± 53.39 μmol Trolox equivalents/g shell). The Mexican non-toxic J. curcas shell is rich in phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity; hence, it could be considerate as a good source of natural antioxidants.
Keywords: % ARA, antiradical activity percentage; BHT, butylated hydroxytoluene; BP, bound phenolics; IC50, concentration required to cause a 50% of radical inhibition; In vitro antioxidant activity; JcSME, Jatropha curcas shell methanolic extract; SCP, soluble conjugated phenolics; SFP, soluble free phenolics; TE, Trolox equivalents; phenolic profile; seed shells by-product.