Biotechnological Improvement of Bio-Diesel Plant - Jatropha Curcas

Jatropha Curcas - Ratanjot: Jatropha curcas is a perennial shrub belonging to family Euphorbiaceae. Due to potential demand and better marketing opportunities, cultivation of Jatropha appears viable. The crop is suitable particularly for garden land situations yet less productive, no irrigation facilities. Besides the crop must not replace other important food crops and in turn will not have a major impact on cropping pattern. Jatropha adapts well to marginal lands as well as live fence, as farm animals do not browse it. All parts of the shrub are used in traditional medicine and as raw material for pharmaceutical & cosmetic industries. Discussing the national problems of water scarcity and drought, he stated that "India needs to grow jatropha to tackle dry land and generate bio-diesel." Bio diesel has properties very similar to petroleum diesel fuels & therefore can be used in engines with little or no engine modifications. Bio diesel is safe, biodegradable and reduces serious pollutants such as particulate, carbon mono oxides, hydrocarbons, Sulphate fractions and toxic chemicals. Its higher acetone number improves the ignition quality even when blended in petroleum diesel.