Antinutritional factors
Seeds contain high levels of simmondsin and simmondsin analogues (Verbiscar et al., 1978; Medina et al., 1990). Simmondsins are cyanoglucosides that are highly toxic to rats, mice, rabbits and sheep. In rats, simmondsin has a LD 50 of 4 g/kg (Medina et al., 1990). The seed meal obtained after oil extraction is mostly discarded and not currently used in animal feeding because it still contains simmondsin (Abbott et al., 1990; Lein et al., 2002). Jojoba also contains phenolic compounds and has a bitter taste. Several processes and treatments have been tested, including fungus, lactic bacteria, heat, ammonia, isopropanol and other chemicals, in order to alleviate problems due to these antinutritional factors (Verbiscar et al., 1980; Medina et al., 1990; Wisniak, 1994; Khalel et al., 2008).