Jatropha oil is a light yellow, nearly colorless, semi-dry oil.

It is nevertheless virtually odorless.

Since the toxins contained in the physic nuts end up in the oil through the pressing process, this oil is not intended for consumption. Jatropha curcas oil has a bitter, burning taste and causes severe diarrhea and vomiting.

The fat composition of this oil consists approximately 15-17% of palmitic acid, around 6-8% of stearic acid, about 30-44% of oleic acid, around 0.3% of linoleic acid, and also about 0.3% of arachidic acid. The remaining 30-52% is made of linoleic acid. Thus, the portion of unsaturated fatty acids in the oil is considerably larger than that of the saturated.