US FDA issues warnings on potential toxicity of Jatropha derived ingredients

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about potential toxic risks from oils, glycerin and proteins derived from Jatropha, a plant known for its high oil content that is used in cosmetics and other applications.

The agency said Jatropha plant is a drought-resistant shrub that has high oil content of biodiesel fuel in its seed, which can be extracted with a relatively low cost process.

According to the agency, in the biodiesel fuel production process, oil is extracted from the plant containing a portion of glycerin and protein co-products that may include toxic compounds.

The agency has revealed that toxic compounds include phorbol esters. which demonstrate potential toxicity when used by humans and animals.

The FDA said the conventional impurity tests may not be able to detect the presence of the toxins and warned industry to be vigilant about the potential substitution of ingredients by oils, glycerins and proteins from the Jatropha plant, although it was yet unaware of such practices in FDA regulated finished products or components.

The suppliers and manufacturers in both in the US and abroad have been asked to take necessary steps to prevent the use of ingredients that might be intentionally, or otherwise adulterated with Jatropha by the agency.

Situation is being monitored to evaluate the impact on FDA regulated products, and the agency is working to develop test methods for Jatropha based ingredients.

Suppliers and manufacturers of FDA regulated products have been asked to share any relevant information with it, including information about suspected Jatropha based toxins or about validated testing methodologies for the detection of the toxins.