Jatropha Oils
Jatropha Tree
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. The
organic matter from shed leaves enhance earth-worm
activity in the soil around the root-zone of the
plants, which improves the fertility of the soil.
Jatropha Tree is found
in the tropics and subtropics and likes heat, although
it does well even in lower temperatures and can
withstand a light frost. Its water requirement is
extremely low and it can stand long periods of drought
by shedding most of its leaves to reduce transpiration
loss.
PLANT :
Jatropha Curcus is a drought-resistant perennial,
growing well in marginal/poor soil. It is easy to
establish, grows relatively quickly and lives,
producing seeds for 40 years.
Jatropha the wonder plant produces seeds with an oil
content of 37%. The oil is a fuel which burns with a
clear smoke-free flame. This oil once processed
(through esterification) into bio-diesel is
increasingly being used as a fuel by transport and
energy companies. The by-products are pressed cake (a
good organic fertilizer), oil, and it also contains an
effective insecticide.
It grows in many parts of Ghana and other parts of
Africa. It is rugged in nature and can survive with
minimum inputs and is easy to propagate.
Jatropha grows wild in many areas of Africa and even
thrives on poor soil. A good crop can be obtained with
little effort. Depending on soil quality and rainfall,
oil can be extracted from the Jatropha nuts after two
to three years. The annual seed yield ranges from 0.5
to 12 tons per hectare.
Plant
Features
It is a small tree or shrub with smooth gray bark,
which exudes a whitish colored, watery, latex when
cut. Normally, it grows between three and five meters
in height, but can attain a height of up to eight or
ten meters under favourable conditions.
Leaves
It has large green to pale-green leaves.
Flowers
Flowers are formed larger and occur in the hot
seasons. In conditions where continuous growth occurs.
Fruits
Fruits are produced in winter when the shrub is
leafless, or it may produce several crops during the
year if soil moisture is good and temperatures are
sufficiently high.
Seeds
The seeds become mature when the capsule changes from
green to yellow, after two to four months
Uses
Jatropha oil can be used as an alternate of other oils
for Bio-diesel production.
Standard Specifications:
Item Value:
|
Acid value |
5.65 |
| FFA
(As Oleic Acid ) |
2.79 % |
| Saponification
value |
195.0 |
| Iodine value (WIJS) |
101.76 |
|
Viscosity (31oC) |
43.2 cps |
| Palmitic
acid |
15.74% |
| Stearic
acid |
5.13% |
|
Oleic acid |
34.77% |
| Linoleic
acid |
40.50% |
|
Other acids |
3.86% |
