Jatropha curcas: A Promising New Source of Biofuel.

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Jatropha curcas A Promising New Source of
Biofuel.

• Matt Harvison

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• Species Jatropha curcas
• Family Euphorbiaceae
• A perennial shrub which grows up to 5 meters
  high. It is a drought resistant plant requiring
  an average annual rainfall of 300-1000mm. The
  grows best at a average annual temperature of
  20-28 degrees Celsius.

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• Jatropha can grow in marginal to poor soil. The
  shrub is easy to establish and grows quickly. It
  can live and produce seeds for up to 50 years.
  The center of origin is believed to be in Mexico
  and the Central Americas. Each inflorescence can
  form around 10 fruits.

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Benefits of Jatropha

• Low cost of seeds.
• High oil content.
• Small gestation period.
• Grows on good to poor soils.
• Grows in low to high rainfall.
• Plant size makes seed collection convenient.

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• The seeds of Jatropha contain 37 oil. The oil
  can be extracted after 2-5 years of growth. The
  oil can be combusted as a fuel without being
  refined. The oil burns clear and smokeless, and
  has been successfully tested in simple diesel
  engines.

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The Negatives of Biodiesel

• The low yield of oil extracted compared to land
  used.
• We will lose crops used as food for production of
  fuels.
• The increase in demand of crops as fuel crops
  will increase the cost of the same crops for
  food.
• A large amount of land will be required to grow
  crops for use of biodiesel.

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Jatrophas Solution

• Soybean and Rapseed have low oil yields compared
  to Jatropha.
• Soybeans produces 375kg per hectare. Rapseed
  produces 1000kg per hectare. Jatropha produces
  3000kg per hectare.

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Jatrophas Solution

• Jatropha is not a food crop and can be grown
  primarily as a crop for biodiesel.
• Jatropha can be intercropped along with coffee,
  fruits, sugar, and vegatables.

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Benefits of Intercropping

• Farmers are not solely dependent on one crop.
• Reduction of lay out of fertilizer.
• Promotes a return to the land.
• Little economic resources to produce a variety of
  products.

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Additional Jatropha Benefits

• Byproducts of biodiesel production can be used as
  an organic fertilizer and the oil contains an
  insecticide.
• The nuts and young leaves can be eaten.
• The sap can be used as a dye.

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Negatives of Jatropha

• The oil yields are unpredictable.
• Its a toxic plant.
• Special facilities are required for crushing.
• Special handling is required for farmers due to
  its toxicity.
• Labor intensive crop because each fruit ripens at
  different times, and must be harvested
  separately.
• Has a possible invasive nature.

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Variables that effect oil yields

• Climate
• Quality of soil
• Irrigation
• Weeding
• Use of fertilizer
• Crop density
• Genotype
• Use of pesticides
• Intercropping

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Toxins

• Curcasin found in the oil.
• Toxalbumen curcin found in the embryo.
• Croton resin found in the seeds.
• In the seed cakes after oil extraction, contain
  curcin.

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Toxins

• Croton resin cause redness and pus filled
  eruptions of the skin.
• Curcin is similar to ricin in Castor, it is a
  strong irritant, but is also being used for
  anti-tumor treatment.

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Future Outlook

• It is believed to take about 5 years of research
  before Jatropha cultivation is economically
  viable.
• By the end of the year the first large scale
  Jatropha-based biodiesel plant will open in China.

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References

• http//www.jatrophaworld.org/
• http//www.jatrophabiodiesel.org/
• http//www.tropilab.com/jatropha-cur.html
• http//uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKHKG759372
  0070912
• http//www.biodiesel.org/
• http//gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/2/18/14459/0
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