To investigate the potential use of Jatropha curcas L. seed oil, dried Jatropha curcas L. seeds were crushed to release the kernels and oil was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus and the physicochemical characteristics of the oil determined using standard methods. The physico-chemical characteristics showed: oil yield 42.19%, specific gravity 0.93, saponification value 122.49mgKOH/g, iodine value 129.66gI2/100g, acid value 1.38mgKOH/g, free fatty acid value 0.74mgKOH/g and peroxide value 1.55meq/Kg. The phytochemical screening of the oil showed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides, while tannins, flavonoids and phenols were absent. From the determined parameters, Jatropha curcas seed oil may be use as cooking oil and in cosmetics. In addition, the revealed phytochemcals suggested that the seeds oil has pharmacological potentialities.
