Jatropha oil

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Jatropha oil is produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas, a plant that can grow in wastelands. Jatropha curcas grows almost anywhere, even on gravelly, sandy and saline soils. It can thrive on the poorest stony soil. It can grow even in the crevices of rocks.

Jatropha

[edit] Biodiesel

Developed in India as a fuel oil , it has received wide attention, particularly in Asia (e.g. Indonesia^[1] and the Philippines^[2]), as a source of biodiesel.

Myanmar is also actively pursuing the use of jatropha oil. In a meeting in January, 2006, Minister of Industry Aung Thaung spoke of using biodiesel from jatropha oil to meet Myanmar's fuel needs.^[3] More recently, plans have been made to cultivate 7,000,000 acres, and the project is said to be going forward.^{[citation needed]}

The plant yields more than four times as much fuel per hectare as soybean, and more than ten times that of corn. A hectare of jatropha produces 1,892 liters of fuel. . ^[4]

Jatropha is a one-stage conversion to biodiesel and the oil produces 40-42MJ/kg, as compared with 42.5-45MJ/kg for standard diesel.^[5].

Researchers at Daimler Chrysler Research explored the use of jatropha oil for automotive use, concluding that although jatropha oil as fuel "has not yet reached optimal quality, ... it already fulfills the EU norm for biodiesel quality."^[6]