Bio-Diesel Can Be Prepared From The Seed Of Jatropha Plant

As in the whole world the prices of crude oil and specially in Pakistan the prices of petroleum products are increasing day by day, there is a dire need to replace the petrol with some cheaper oil instead. In addition the number of vehicles running on the roads is also on the rise in the world. Bio-diesel is an alternative to face the challenge. The seed of Jatropha curcas plant has 49 % oil that when passed through a chemical action with Sodium metho oxide changes into biodiesel. Jatropha plant is of bushy type and 10 feet high its seed is oval shaped and of brown color. The oil can be used in tractors and peter engines with out passing through any chemical action.According to the scientists of Australian Bio Diesel Group the vehicles running on Jatropha bio diesel expel 72 % less smoke. Wax can be prepared when Jatropha oil is passed through hydrogen that can be used for polishing furniture and candles can be made from this wax along with making other type of polishes.Its oil is used for making soaps, shampoos, rubber, chewing gum and various other dyes that that are used in planes, tanks and hydraulic machinery. The Jatropha plant was introduced to Australia, Africa and Asia from Mid America. In Australia it has been planted on an area of 0.14 million acres by Jatropha Gold Oil Planter Group. While In Pakistan, America, Newzealand, China, Bhutan, India and Brazil it has been planted on an area of 0.325 acres. In Pakistan the work on an agreement is underway to be signed for its cultivation with the collaboration of UN and the bio diesel thus prepared will be used in railway engines. India had signed an agreement with Gold Oil of Australia to promote its cultivation in Rajistan during 2002 on which 80 % of the work has been completed. According to Professor Dr David Johnson of Arizona Agricultural University the cultivation of this plant is needed on an acreage of 0.25 million acres to meet the weekly diesel demand 2 % of the Asian countries. So the SAARC countries can be the best markets for the planting of Jatropha.
courtesy DOAB (Urdu)