Jatropha curcus

New sources of oil are continually being suggested for biodiesel production. Rubber seed Hevea brasiliensis) produces unsaturated oil that has little value and is often not recovered but could be effectively used to produce biodiesel (52). Jatropha curcus, a bushy tree that grows quickly and produces a fruit with a high-oil seed, has been touted as an energy plant for tropical climates (53). 

Jatropha curcus is another plant being developed today for its oil-bearing fruit. Biodiesel and fuel oil are key reasons for its development today. Both India and Africa are pursuing this crop as it can grow on sparse soil and in dry climates. Jatropha, shown in Figure 6.18, from a surfactant fatty alcohol feedstock is much less interesting, since it mainly contains unsaturated fatty acids with limited C 2 cid content and, thus, bears no further discussion. 

---