Jatropha curcas is a species of flowering plant in thefamily spurge , Euphorbiaceae , which is native to the American tropics , most likely Mexico and Central America . [2] It is originally native to the tropical areas of the Americas from Mexico to Argentina, and has been spread throughout the world in tropical and subtropical regions around the world , becoming naturalized or invasive in many areas.
[3] The specific epithet , “curcas” , was first used by Portuguesedoctor Garcia de Orta more than 400 years ago. [4] Common names in English include physic nut , Barbados nut , poison nut , bubble bush or purging nut . [3] In parts of Africa and areas in Asia such as India it is also known as oil or hedge oil plant . [3]
J. curcas is a semi- evergreen shrub or small tree , reaching a height of 6 m (20 ft) or more. [2] It is resistant to a high degree of aridity , allowing it to grow in deserts . [5] [6] It contains phorbol esters , which are considered toxic. [7] However, edible (non-toxic) native origins to Mexico also exist, known by the local population as manso, xuta , chuta, aishte, among others. [8] [9] J. curcas also contains such compounds as trypsin inhibitors , phytate ,saponins and a type of lectin [10] [11] known as curcin. [12]
The seeds contain 27-40% oil [13] (average: 34.4% [14] ) that can be processed to produce a high-quality biodiesel fuel, usable in a standard diesel engine . Edible (non-toxic) provenances can be used for animal feed and food. [15] [8]
Botanical features
- Leaves : The leaves have significant variability in their morphology. In general, the leaves are green to pale green, alternate to subopposite, and three-to-five-lobed with a spiral phyllotaxis . [16]
- Flowers : male and female flowers are produced on the same inflorescence , averaging 20 male flowers to each female flower, [17] or 10 male flowers to each female flower. [18] The inflorescence can be formed in the leaf axil . Plants occasionally present hermaphroditic flowers. [16]
- Fruits : fruits are produced in winter, or may be several crops during the year. Most fruit production is concentrated in the production of some of the highest levels of production in the world. [16]
- Seeds : The seeds are mature when the capsule changes from green to yellow. The seeds contain around 20% saturated fatty acids and 80% unsaturated fatty acids, and they yield 25-40% oil by weight. In addition, the seeds containing other chemical compounds, such as sucrose , raffinose , stachyose , glucose , fructose , galactose , and protein . The oil is largely made up of oleic and linoleic acids. Furthermore, the plant also contains curcasin, arachidic, myristic , palmitic , and stearic acids and curcin . [16]
- Genome : the whole genome was sequenced by Kazusa DNA Research Institute , Chiba Japan in October 2010. [19]
Cultivation
Cultivation is uncomplicated. Jatropha curcas grows in tropical and subtropical regions. [20] The plant can grow in wastelands and grows there Almost Any field, Even is gravelly , sandyand saline soils . It can thrive in poor and stony soils, although new research suggests that the plant is able to adapt to these poor soils. Complete germination is achieved within 9 days. Adding manureduring the germination has negative effects during that phase, but is favorable if applied after germination is achieved. It can be propagated by cuttings, which yields faster results than multiplication by seeds.
The flowers only develop terminally, so a good branching produces the greatest amount of fruits. The plants are self-compatible . [17] Another productivity factor is the ratio between female and male flowers in an inflorescence, more female flowers mean more fruits. [18] Jatropha curcas thrives we have 250 mm (10 in) of rain a year, and only during its first two years in the dry season. Plowing and planting are not needed regularly, as this shrub has a life expectancy of approximately forty years. The use of pesticides is not necessary, due to the pesticidal and fungicidalproperties of the plant. It is used in rural Bengal for dhobi itch (a common fungal infection of the skin).
While Jatropha curcas starts yielding from 9-12 months, the best yields are obtained after 2-3 years time. The seed production is around 3.5 tons per hectare (seed production ranges from about 0.4 t / ha in the first year to over 5 t / ha after 3 years). If planted in hedges , the reported productivity of Jatropha is 0.8 to 1.0 kg of seed per meter of live fence. [ quote needed ]
Propagation
Jatropha curcas can be propagated by both seed and cuttings. [21] Some people recommend propagation by seed for establishment of long-lived plantations. [22] When jatropha plants develop cuttings, they produce many branches but yield less seeds and do not have enough time to develop their taproot, which makes them sensitive to wind erosion. [23] The seeds of orthodontic storage and the ability to maintain high levels of viability at high rates for eight months to a year. [24] [25] [26] [22] [27]Propagation through seed (sexual propagation) leads to a lot of genetic variability in terms of growth, biomass, seed yield and oil content. Clonal techniques can help in overcoming these problems. Vegetative propagation has-been Achieved by stem cuttings , grafting , budding as well as by air layering techniques. It is recommended that micronutrients be reduced to 200 micrograms per liter of IBA ( rooting hormone ) to ensure the highest level of rooting in stem cuttings. [28] Cuttings strike the root easily in the ground without using hormones. [21]
Processing
Seed extraction and processing needs.
Oil content varies from 28% to 30% and 80% extraction, one hectare of plantation will give 400 to 600 liters of oil if the soil is average. [29]
The oily seeds are processed into oil , qui May be used Directly ( ” Straight Vegetable Oil “) to fuel combustion engines or May be Subjected to transesterification to Produce Biodiesel . [ citation needed ] Jatropha oil is not suitable for human consumption, as it induces strong vomiting and diarrhea . [ quote needed ]
Biofuel
When jatropha seeds are crushed, the resulting jatropha oil can be processed to produce a high-quality biofuel or biodiesel that can be used in a standard diesel or jet fuel, while the residue ( press cake ) can also be used as biomass feedstock to power electricity plants, used as fertilizer (it contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), or as animal fodder . The cake can be used as feed in digesters and gasifiers to produce biogas. [30]
There are several forms of biofuel, often manufactured using sedimentation , centrifugation , and filtration . The fats and oils are turned into esters while separating the glycerin . At the end of the process, the glycerin settles and the biofuel floats. The process through which the biodiesel is separated is known as transesterification . Glycerin is another by-product from Jatropha oil processing that can add value to the crop. Transesterification is a simple chemical reaction that neutralizes the free fatty acids present in any fatty substance in Jatropha. A chemical exchange takes place between the alkoxy groups of an ester compound by an alcohol. usually,methanol and ethanol are used for the purpose. The reaction occurs by the presence of a catalyst , usually sodium hydroxide (NaOH) caustic soda and potassium hydroxide (KOH), which forms fatty esters (eg, methyl or ethyl esters), commonly known as biodiesel . It takes approximately 10% of methyl alcohol by weight of the substance substance to start the transesterification process. [16]
Estimates of Jatropha seed yield vary Widely due to a Lack of research data, the genetic diversity of the crop, the ranks of environments in qui it is grown, and Jatropha ‘ s perennial life cycle. Seed yields under cultivation range from 1,500 to 2,000 kilograms per hectare , corresponding to yields of 540 to 680 liters per hectare (58 to 73 US gallons per acre ). [31] In 2009 Time magazine cited the potential for as much as 1,600 gallons of diesel fuel per acre per year. [32]The plant can yield more than four times as much fuel per hectare as soybean , and more than ten times that of maize (corn), but at the same time below). A hectare of jatropha has been claimed to produce 1,892 liters of fuel. [33] However, it has been improved or improved by plant breeders, yields are variable. [34]
Jatropha can also be intercropped with other cash crops such as coffee, sugar, fruits and vegetables. [35]
In 2007 Goldman Sachs cited Jatropha curcas as one of the best candidates for future biodiesel production. [36] However, despite its abundance and use of an oil and reclamation plant, none of the Jatropha species has been properly domesticated , as a result, its productivity is variable, and the long-term impact of its large-scale use soil quality and the environment is unknown. [37]
In 2008 researchers at Daimler Chrysler Research explored the use of jatropha oil for automotive use, concluding that the fuel oil has not yet reached optimal quality, … it is already fulfilling the EU norm for biodiesel quality. Archer Daniels Midland Company , Bayer CropScience and Daimler AG have joined the project to develop biofuel. [38] Three Mercedes cars powered by Jatropha diesel have already put some 30,000 kilometers behind them. The project is supported by DaimlerChrysler and by the German Association for Investment and Development (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft, DEG).
Jet fuel
Aviation fuels may be more important than other forms of transportation. There are fewer planes than cars or trucks and far fewer jet fueling stations to convert than gas stations. [39] To fulfill the annual demand for aviation fuel, based on demand in 2008 (oil use has grown), an area of farmland and the size of France would need to be planted with jatropha, based on average yields of mature plantations on reasonably good, irrigated land. [40]
On December 30, 2008, Air New Zealand flew the first successful test flight from Auckland with a Boeing 747 running one of its four Rolls-Royce engines on a 50:50 blend of jatropha oil and jet A-1 fuel . [39] [41] In the same press release, Air New Zealand announced plans to use the new fuel for 10% of its needs by 2013. At the time of this test, it was much cheaper than crude oil, costing an estimated $ 43 a barrel or about one-third of the June 4, 2008 closing price of $ 122.30 for a barrel of crude oil . [42]
On January 7, 2009 Continental Airlines successfully completed a test flight from Houston, Texas using a 50/50 mixture of algae / jatropha-oil-derived biofuel and Jet A in one of the two CFM56 engines of a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation jet . The two-hour test flight Could Mark Reviews another promising step for the airline industry to find Cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel .
On April 1, 2011 Interjet completed the first Mexican aviation biofuels test flight on an Airbus A320 . The fuel was a 70:30 traditional jet fuel biojet blend produced from Jatropha oil provided by three Mexican producers, Global Energies Renovables (a wholly owned subsidiary of US-based Global Clean Energy Holdings ), Bencafser SA and JH SA Honeywell’s UOP processed the oil into Bio-SPK (Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene). [43] Global Energies Renovables operates the largest Jatropha farm in the Americas. [43]
On October 28, 2011 Air China completed the first successful demonstration by a Chinese airline that used jatropha-based biofuel. The mixture was a 50:50 mix of jet fuel blended with jatropha oil from China National Petroleum Corp. The 747-400 powered one of its four engines on the fuel mixture during the 1-hour flight around Beijing airport. [44]
Carbon dioxide sequestration
According to a 2013 study published by the European Geosciences Union , [45] the jatropha tree may have applications in the absorption of carbon dioxide, whose sequestration is important in combating climate change. [46] This small tree is very resistant to aridity so it can be planted in hot and dry soil in soil for food production. The plant does not need water to grow though, so it’s a good place to go. [ quote needed ]
Use in developing world
Currently the oil from Jatropha curcas seeds is used for making biodiesel fuel in Philippines , Pakistan and in Brazil , Where It grows naturally and in plantations in the southeast, north, and Northeast of Brazil. Likewise, jatropha oil is being promoted as an easily grown biofuel crop in hundreds of projects throughout India and other developing countries. [47] Large plantings and nurseries have been undertaken in India by many research institutions, and by women’s self-help groups who use a system of microcredit to ease poverty among women. The railway line betweenMumbai and Delhi is planted with jatropha and the train runs itself on 15-20% biodiesel . [34] In Africa, cultivation of jatropha is being promoted and it is grown in Mali . [48] In the Gran Chaco of Paraguay , where a native variety ( Jatropha matacensis ) also grows, studies have shown the suitability of Jatropha cultivation [49] [50] and agro producers are starting to consider planting in the region. [51]
Burma
Burma is also actively pursuing the use of jatropha oil. On December 15, 2005, then-head of state, Senior General Than Shwe, said “The States and Divisions concerned are to behold 50,000 acres (200 km²) under the physic nut plants [Jatropha] each within three years totaling 700,000 acres (2,800 km²) during the period”. On the occasion of Burma’s Peasant Day 2006, Than Shwe described in his a message that “for energy is an essential role in the transformation of the industrial agriculture system, the Government is encouraging for cultivation of physic nut plants nationwide and the technical know how can Biodiesel has been identified as a major source of nutrients in agriculture, and has been identified as a major source of growth in the field of agriculture. import substitution economy. (2005 from MRTV)
In 2006, Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise said Burma hoped to completely replace the country’s oil imports of 40,000 barrels a day with home-brewed, jatropha-derived biofuel. Burma would soon start exporting jatropha oil. Burma self-sufficient in fuel Despite the military’s efforts, the jatropha campaign (2006 from MyawaddyTV)
ZGS Bioenergy has started Jatropha Plantation Projects in Northern Shan State , the company has Jatropha seedlings planted during late June 2007 and will start producing seeds by 2010. (20 July 2007 from New Light of Myanmar)
Controversies
As of 2011 skepticism about the “miracle” properties of Jatropha has been voiced. For example: “The idea that jatropha can be grown on a marginal land is a red herring “, according to Harry Stourton, a business development director of UK-based Sun Biofuels, which has been tried to cultivate Jatropha in Mozambique and Tanzania. “It does grow on marginal land, but if you use marginal land you’ll get marginal yields,” he said. [52] [53] Sun Biofuels, after failing to adequately compensate local farmers for the land acquired for their plantation in Tanzania, paid workers severance, or delivered promised to local villagers, went bankrupt later in 2011,[54]
An August 2010 article warned about the actual utility and potential dangers of reliance on Jatropha in Kenya. Major concerns included its invasiveness, which could disrupt local biodiversity, as well as damage to water catchment areas. [55]
Jatropha curcas is lauded as being sustainable, and its production would not compete with food production, but the jatropha plant needs water like every other crop to grow. This could create competition for water between jatropha and other edible food crops. In fact, jatropha requires five times more water per unit of energy than sugarcane and corn. [56] [57]
Other uses
- flowers
- The species is listed as a honey plant. [ citation needed ] Hydrogen cyanide is present. [58]
- Nuts
- Can be construed for home cooking fuel in briquette form replacements charcoalized timber as in Haiti. [59]
- They can be burned like candlenuts when strung on grass. [ citation needed ] HCN is present. [ citation needed ] [60]
- Used as a contraceptive in South Sudan. [61]
- Seeds
- Interest exists in Producing animal feed [ citation needed ] from the bio-waste once the oil is Expressed, as in the case with Haiti, Where Jatropha curcas grows prolifically and animal feed is in very short supply. [59]
- Similarly, Metsiyen in the Haitian culture dates back to a medicinal crop-thus the name “metsiyen” / “medsiyen”. Some suggest it “calms the stomach”. [59]
- Also used as a contraceptive in South Sudan. [61]
- The oil has been used for enlightenment, soap , candles , the adulteration of olive oil , and making Turkey red oil . Turkey red oil , also called sulphonated (or sulfated) castor oil, is the only oil that completely disperses in water. It is made by adding sulfuric acid to pure Jatropha oil. [62] It was the first synthetic detergent after ordinary soap , as it is easy to use for making bath oil products. It is used in formulating lubricants , softeners, and dyeing assistants . [63]
- The seeds in the area around Misantla, Veracruz are very appreciated by the population as they have been boiled and roasted. It is unclear if it is due to the existence of a non-toxic variety of Jatropha in Mexico and Central America, or if the seeds become edible once processed by cooking. [64]
- It is also similarly reported that Jatropha seeds are edible once the embryo has been removed. [65] Again it can be because of these seeds from a local non-toxic variety. HCN is present.
- Roots
- Their ashes are used as a substitute salt. HCN and rotenone are present. [66]
- Bark
- Used as a fish poison. HCN is present. [67] Igbinosa and colleagues (2009) demonstrated the broad spectrum antimicrobial activity of J. curcas bark extract. [68]
- Latex
- Strongly inhibited the watermelon mosaic virus. [69]
- Sap
- It stains linen. Sometimes used for marking. [70]
- shrub
- Used for erosion control, [71] [72]