Jatropha is a scrub plant widely spread in South-America,
Asia and Africa, which grows under comparatively dry
conditions (250-1200 mm precipitation p.a.) and on poor
soil. Jatropha nuts are toxic, which makes it known in
rural areas as a hedge-plant that protects fields against
animal predators.
For the same reason Jatropha is not cultivated as a food
crop. Jatropha actually qualifies as an energy source in
developing countries, because there is no competition with
local food markets.
The Jatropha curcas L. variety has been tested as an energy
source in a number of development projects and research
programs since the early nineties, and it has shown very
positive results.
Jatropha curcas L. produces seeds with an oil content of
30-50%. The Jatropha oil can be combusted as fuel without
being refined. Jatropha oil burns with a clear, smoke-free
flame. Within a development project conducted by the German
Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in Mali Jatropha oil
has been successfully tested as fuel for simple
Diesel-engines with precombustion-chamber used in
agricultural production for mills and water pumps. The
esterification with methanol or ethanol then produces
biodiesel (methyl- or ethyl-ester) which can be used for
Diesel-engines in ordinary vehicles.
For the past two years Bioenergy Plantations (BEP) has done
extensive research in studying the growth of the Jatropha
plant in tropical areas of India without irrigation.
Bioenergy Plantations research and development center has
been testing different lines and varieties of Jatropha
plants. Bioenergy Plantations has also been measuring
germination percentages and Jatropha oil content from
several different varieties of Jatropha seeds.
The Jatropha tree uses are many and range from non-edible
Jatropha oil production to soap production to
pharmaceutical production.
COMMON USES OF THE JATROPHA PLANT ARE:
* The Jatropha seeds yield up to 35-45% oil which is
non-edible.
* The Jatropha oil is a commercially viable alternative to
diesel oil because it burns without emitting any smoke and
has a very good burning quality.
* Engines do not need any modification for using Jatropha
oil.
* Jatropha Oil cake is a good biofertilizer.
* Jatropha glycerin obtained during the refining of oil can
be used in pharmaceuticals and for various other purposes
* Oil is also used in soap industry
* Latex, oil cake, leaves, and oil are known to possess
antimicrobial properties and are used as pest protectants
The life span of Jatropha curcas L. is about 40 years. For
this reason Bioenergy Plantations (BEP) is very positive in
promoting Jatropha oil as an alternative to soy bean oil,
palm oil or any edible vegetable oil being used as a
feedstock to produce biodiesel. Last but not least,
Jatropha can grow on wastelands, in rural areas without any
irrigation and management.
It is without question the green fuel of the future.
----------------------------------------------------
Naren Raju is CEO of Bioenergy Plantations (BEP),
Singapore's first Jatropha plantation company. BEP offers a
full range of consulting services & turnkey solutions for
biodiesel industry clients that see the future in Jatropha.
For more information visit
http://www.bioenergyplanations.com .
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