RESUMO
Jojoba is a woody evergreen shrub or small multi-stemmed tree native to the semiarid regions of southern Arizona, southern California and northwestern Mexico. The fruit is a green capsule which encloses up to three seeds. Jojoba wax [called oil] makes up 50% of the seed's dry weight. Jojoba is being cultivated to provide a renewable source of unique high-quality oil. Most jojoba oil produced in the U.S. today is sold at a high price for use in cosmetics and hair care products. As many as 300 products containing jojoba have appeared in the U.S. market in recent years. As the supply of oil increases and price decreases, more uses will become economically feasible. For example, the viscosity index of jojoba oil is much higher than that of petroleum oil; therefore, it may be used as a high temperature, high pressure lubricant. The stability of jojoba oil makes it attractive to the electronic and computer industries and since jojoba oil contains no cholesterol or triglycerides and is not broken down by normal metabolic pathways, it may become an important low-calorie oil for human consumption. The oil can be used as an antifoam in antibiotics production and as a treatment for skin disorders. Other proposed uses include candles, plasticizers, detergents, fire retardants, transformer oil, and for the leather industry. The meal contains up to 30% protein, but toxic compounds [simmondsins] make it currently hazardous as an animal feed. Much of the interest in joj'oba worldwide is the result of the plant's ability to survive in a harsh desert environment