Non edible oil seed plants as source of energy and biodiesel

There are a number of plant species producing non-edible oil which can substitute the liquid fuel requirement. Experiments on these plants led to selection of some of the potential plants and improvement in their yield and also the composition of oil has been obtained. Some of the non-edible oil seed plants included Jatropha curcas, Madhuca indica, Azadirachta indica, Pongamia glabra, and Simmondsia chinenesis which can grow well under semi arid conditions. S. chinensis produces wax i.e. long carbon chain fatty acids ranging from C-18 to C-24 with predominant C20 Eicosenoic acid, whereas in Jatropha. Madhuca and Azadirachta the fatty acid broadly range from C-16 to C-18, maximum being C-18 Oleic acid. Pongamia glabra has the widest range i.e. C-16 to C-24 with predominant fatty acid C-18 Oleic acid. Their oil characteristics have been correlated with diesel and their ability has been observed. The oilcake also acts as a good fertilizer.