Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Jatropha curcas: A Prospective Energy Crop

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Biomass and Bioenergy

Abstract

Declining reserves of fossil fuels, climate change issues, aim to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions has inspired global interest in Jatropha curcas L. as an alternate energy biosystem. J. curcas, an underutilized, robust energy plant belonging to family Euphorbiaceae has ability to grow in wastelands and semi-arid areas with low nutrient requirements and produces wood, fruit shells, seed husks, seed oil, and press-cake which are potential sources of renewable energy. J. curcas seed contains 35 % oil which is an eco-friendly renewable energy resource and has properties highly suited for making biodiesel which emits less greenhouse gases (GHG) than fossil diesel fuel and if well exploited can help most of the countries in the world to meet their fuel requirements. However, several issues such as energy versus food, energy and environmental impacts need to be addressed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Achten WMJ, Reubens B, Maes W, Mathijs E, Verchot L, Singh VP, Poesens J, Muys B (2007) Root architecture of the promising bio-diesel plant Jatropha. Commun Agric Appl Biol Sci 72(1):81

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Achten WMJ, Verchot L, Franken YJ, Mathijs E, Singh VP, Aerts R, Muys B (2008) Jatropha bio-diesel production and use. Biomass Bioenergy 32(12):1063–1084

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Augustus GDP, Jayabalan M (2002) Evaluation and bioinduction of energy components of Jatropha curcas. Biomass Bioenergy 23:161–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Basker T (1993) Experimental Investigation on the use of vegetable oil and vegetable oil esters in a low heat rejection engine. MS thesis, I.C.E. Lab, IIT, Madras-36

    Google Scholar 

  • Benge M (2006) Assessment of the potential of Jatropha curcas, (biodiesel tree) for energy production and other uses in developing countries. http://www.echotech.org

  • Bhattacharya A, Datta K, Kumar S (2005) Floral biology, floral resource constraints and pollination limitation in Jatropha curcas L. Pak J Biol Sci 83:456–460

    Google Scholar 

  • Bozbas K (2008) Biodiesel as an alternative motor fuel, production and policies in the European Union. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 12:542–552

    Google Scholar 

  • Cerrate S, Yan f, Wang Z, Coto C, Sacakli P, Waldroup PW (2006) Evaluation of glycerine from biodiesel production as a feed ingredient for broilers. Int J Poult Sci 5:1001–1007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhary DR, Ghosh A, Chikara J, Patolia JS (2008) Soil characteristics and mineral nutrient in wild Jatropha population of India. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 39(9–10):1476

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daey Ouwens K, Francis G, Franken YJ, Rijssenbek W, Riedacker A, Foidl N, Jongschaap REE, Bindraban PS (2007) Position paper on Jatropha curcas—state of the art, small and large scale project development. In: Expert seminar on Jatropha curcas L. Agronomy and genetics. FACT Publishers Foundation, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Tomar OS, Kumar Y, Bhagwan H, Yadev RK, Tyagi K (2006) Performance of some under-explored crops under saline irrigation in a semiarid climate in northwest India. Land Degrad Dev 17:285–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalziel JM (1955) The useful plants of west-tropical Africa. Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administration, London, p 147

    Google Scholar 

  • Dehgan B, Webster GL (1979) Morphology and intrageneric relationships of the genus Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae). University of California Publications in Botany, vol 47

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Greco GV, Rademaker L (1998) The Jatropha energy system: an integrated approach to decentralised and sustainable energy production at the village level. In: Workshop on the potential of Jatropha curcas in rural development and environment protection, Harare, 13–15 May 1998

    Google Scholar 

  • Delgado MJL, Parado TE (1989) Potential multipurpose agroforestry crops identified for the Mexican Tropics. In: Wickens GE, Haq N, Day P (eds) New crops for food and industry. Chapman and Hall, London, pp 166–173

    Google Scholar 

  • DemirbaÅŸ A (2002) Gaseous products from biomass by pyrolysis and gasification: effects of catalyst on hydrogen yield. Energy Convers Manage 43:897–909

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DemirbaÅŸ A, DemirbaÅŸ MF (2003) Biomass and wastes: upgrading alternative fuels. Energy Source 25:317–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deng X, Fang Z, Liu YH (2010) Ultrasonic transesterification of Jatropha curcas L. oil to biodiesel by a two-step process. Energy Convers Manage 51:2802–2807

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dowlatabadi H (2006) A peek past peak oil. UBC Reports 52:4

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisa MN (1997) Production of ethyl esters as diesel fuel substitutes in the developing countries. In: Gubitz GM, Mittelbach M, Trabi M (eds) Biofuels and industrial products from Jatropha curcas. DBV, Graz, pp 110–112

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2008) Bioenergy, food security and sustainability—towards an international framework. In: High level conference on world food security: the challenges of climate change and bioenergy. FAO, Rome, 3–5 June 2008

    Google Scholar 

  • Foidl N, Eder P (1997) Agro-industrial exploitation of J. Curcas. In: Gubitz GM, Mittelbach M, Trabi M (eds) Biofuels and industrial products from Jatropha curcas. DBV, Graz, pp 88–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Foidl N, Goidl G, Sanchez M, Mittelbach M, Hackel S (1996) Jatropha curcas L. as a source for the production of biofuel in Nicaragua. Bioresour Technol 58:77–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Global Invasive Species Programme (2008) Biofuels run the risk of becoming invasive species. The Global Invasive Species Programme, 2008. (www.gisp.org)

  • Gour VK (2006) Production practices including post harvest management of Jatropha curcas. In: Singh B, Swaminathan R, Ponraj V (eds) Biodiesel conference towards energy independence—focus on Jatropha, Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolaram, Hyderabad, 9–10 June 2006, pp 223–251

    Google Scholar 

  • Gubitz GM, Mittelbach M, Trabi M (1999) Exploitation of the tropical oil seed plant Jatropha curcas L. Bioresour Technol 67:73–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harwood HJ (1984) Oleochemicals as a fuel: mechanical and economic feasibility. JAOCS 61:315–324

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heller J (1996) Physic nut Jatropha curcas L. Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, p 66

    Google Scholar 

  • Henning RK (2007) Jatropha curcas in Africa. Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species, Weissenberg

    Google Scholar 

  • International Energy Agency (2006) World energy outlook. IEA, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • International Panel on Climate Change (2007) IPCC fourth assessment report (AR4). In: Pachauri RK, Reisinger A (eds) Climate change 2007: synthesis report. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2001) IPCC third assessment report—climate change 2001

    Google Scholar 

  • Islam AKMA, Yakoob Z, Anuar N (2011) Jatropha: a multipurpose plant with considerable potential for the tropics. Sci Res Essays 6(13):2597–2605

    Google Scholar 

  • Jingura RM, Downmore M, Rutendo M (2010) An evaluation of utility of Jatropha curcas L. as a source of multiple energy carriers. Int J Eng Sci Technol 2(7):115–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones N, Miller JH (1991) Jatropha curcas: a multipurpose species for problematic sites. Land Resour Ser 1:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Jongschaap REE, Corre WJ, Bindraban PS, Brandenburg WA (2007) Claims and facts on Jatropha curcas L. Plant Res Int 158:22

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandpal JB, Madan M (1995) Jatropha curcas—a renewable source of energy for meeting future energy needs. Renew Energy 6:159–160

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaushik N, Kumar S (2004) Jatropha curcas L. silviculture and uses. Agrobios (India), Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaushik N, Kumar K, Kumar S, Roy S (2007) Genetic variability and divergence studies in seed traits and oil content of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) accessions. Biomass Bioenergy 31(7):497

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar A, Sharma S (2008) An evaluation of multipurpose oil seed crop for industrial uses (Jatropha curcas L.): a review. Ind Crops Prod 28(1):1–10

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Gupta AK, Naik SN (2003) Conversion of non-edible oil into biodiesel. J Sci Ind Res 62:124–132

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kywe TT, Oo MM (2009) Production of biodiesel from Jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas) in pilot plant. Proc World Acad Sci Eng Technol 38:481–487

    Google Scholar 

  • List PH, Horhammer L (1979) Hager’s handbook of pharmaceutical practice 1969–1979, vol 2–6. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Manurung R, Wever DAZ, Wildschut J, Venderbosch RH, Hidayat H, van Dam JEG, Leijenhorst EJ, Broekhuis AA, Heeres HJ (2009) Valorisation of Jatropha curcas L. parts: nut shell conversion to fast pyrolysis oil. Food Bioprod Process 87:187–196

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marchetti JM, Miguel VU, Errazu AF (2007) Possible methods for biodiesel production. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 11:1300–1311

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin G, Mayeux A (1985) Curcas oil (Jatropha curcas. L.): a possible fuel. Agric Trop 9:73–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Herrera J, Siddhuraju P, Francis G, Davila-Ortiz G, Becker K (2006) Chemical composition, toxic/antimetabolic constituents, and effects of different treatments on their levels, in four provenances of Jatropha curcas L. from Mexico. Food Chem 96:80–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKendry P (2002) Energy production from biomass (part 1): overview of biomass. Bioresour Technol 83:37–46

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meher LC, Vidya Sagar D, Naik SN (2006) Technical aspects of biodiesel production by transesterification—a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 10(3):248–268

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohapatra S, Panda PK (2011) Effects of fertilizer application on growth and yield of Jatropha curcas L. in an aeric tropaquept of eastern India. Not Sci Biol 3:95–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore K, Greenhut S, Vendrame W (2011) Greenhouse production of Jatropha, a potential biofuels crop. Horttechnology 21:193–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Nahar K (2011) Sweet sorghum: an alternate feedstock for bioethanol. Iranica J Energy Environ 2:58–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Nahar K, Ozores-Hampton M (2007) Jatropha: an alternative substitute to fossil fuel. IFAS Publication Number HS1193

    Google Scholar 

  • Nahar K, Sunny SA (2011) Extraction of biodiesel from a second generation energy crop (Jatropha curcas L.) by transesterification process. J Environ Sci Technol 4:498–503

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ndong R, Montrejaud-Vignolesk M, Saint Girons O, Gabrielle B, Pirot R, Domergue M, Sablayrolles C (2009) Life cycle assessment of biofuels from Jatropha curcas in west Africa: a field study. GCB Bioenergy 1(3):197–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen TLT, Gheewala SH, Garivait S (2007) Full chain energy analysis of fuel ethanol from cassava in Thailand. Environ Sci Technol 41:4135–4142

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Openshaw K (2000) A review of Jatropha curcas: an oil plant of unfulfilled promise. Biomass Bioenergy 19(1):1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry LM (1980) Medicinal plants of East and South-east Asia. MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Pramanik K (2003) Properties and use of Jatropha curcas oil and diesel fuel blends in compression ignition engine. Renew Energy 28:239–248

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prasad CM, Krishna MV, Reddy CP, Mohan KR (2000) Performance evaluation of non-edible vegetable oils as substitute fuels in low heat rejection diesel engines. J Automob Eng 214:181–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Preuksakorn K, Gheewala SH, Malakul P, Bonnet S (2010) Energy analysis of Jatropha plantation systems for biodiesel production in Thailand. Energy Sustain Dev 14(1):1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prueksakorn K, Gheewala SH (2006) Energy and greenhouse gas implications of biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas L. In: The second joint international conference on sustainable energy and environment, Bangkok, Thailand, 21–23 Nov 2006

    Google Scholar 

  • Prueksakorn K, Gheewala SH (2008) Full chain analysis of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas L. in Thailand. Environ Sci Technol 42:3388–3393

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • PSO (Pakistan State Oil) (2010) Progress report on PSOs’ biodiesel initiative for the promotion of biodiesel in Pakistan. http://www.psopk

  • Rocha PRR (2010) Selectivity of pre-emergence herbicides to physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.). Planta daninha 28:801–806

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenblum JL (2000) Feasibility of biodiesel for rural electrification in India. Draft, Carnegie Mellon University, June 2000

    Google Scholar 

  • Salimon J, Abdullah R (2008) Physicochemical properties of Malaysian Jatropha curcas seed oil. Sains Malaysian 7(4):379–382

    Google Scholar 

  • Shahid EM, Jamal Y (2008) A review of biodiesel as a vehicular fuel. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2(9):2484–2494

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shanker C, Dhyani SK (2006) Insect pests of Jatropha curcas L. and the potentials for their management. Curr Sci 91:162–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheehan J, Camobreco V, Duffield J, Graboski M, Shapouri H (1998) Life cycle inventory of biodiesel and petroleum diesel for use in an urban bus. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, final report

    Google Scholar 

  • Silitonga AS, Atabani AE, Mahlia TMI, Masjuki HH, Badruddin IA, Mekhilef SA (2011) Review on prospect of Jatropha curcas for biodiesel in Indonesia. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 15(8):3733–3756

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh RN, Vyas DK, Srivastava NSL, Narra M (2008) SPRERI experience on holistic approach to utilize all parts of Jatropha curcas fruit for energy. Renew Energy 33(8):1868–1873

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sotolongo JA, Beaton P, Diaz A, de Oca SM, del Valle Y, Pavon SG, Zanzi R (2009) Jatropha curcas L. as a source for the production of biodiesel: a Cuban experience. http://hem.fyristorg.com/zanzi/paper/W2257.pdf

  • Staubmann R, Foidl G, Foidl N, Gubitz GM, Lafferty RM, Arbizu VMV, Steiner W (1997) Biogas production from Jatropha curcas press-cake. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 63–65:457–467

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • The Biomass Project (2000) Curcas oil methyl ester Nicaragua. http://www.ibw.com

  • Thomas R, Sah NK, Sharma PB (2008) Therapeutic biology of Jatropha curcas: a mini review. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 9(4):315–324

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari AK, Kumar A, Raheman H (2007) Biodiesel production from Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) with high free fatty acids: an optimized process. Biomass Bioenergy 31:569–575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tobin J, Fulford DJ (2005) Life cycle assessment of the production of biodiesel from Jatropha. M.Sc Dissertation, The University of Reading, Reading

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomomatsu Y, Brent S (2007) Jatropha curcas biodiesel production in Africa: economics and potential value chain development for smallholder farmers. WP54. World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi

    Google Scholar 

  • Van den Berg AJ, Horsten SF, Kettenes van den Bosch JJ, Kroes BH, Beukelman CJ, Loeflang BR, Labadie RP (1995) Curcacycline A: a novel cyclic octapeptide isolated from the latex of Jatropha curcas Linn. FEBS Lett 358:215–218

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Von Braun J, Meinzen-Dick R (2009) Land grabbing by foreign investors in developing countries: risk and opportunities. IFPRI, Policy Brief, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Vyas DK, Singh RN (2007) Feasiblity study of Jatropha seed husk as an open core gasifier feedstock. Renew Energy 32:512–517

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wenzel H, Hauschild M, Alting L (2000) Environmental assessment of products, vol 1, Methodology, tools and cases studies in product development. Chapman and Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

    Burhan Ahad, Zafar A. Reshi, Humeera Rasool & Waseem Shahri

  2. Centre for Research and Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

    A. R. Yousuf

Authors
  1. Burhan Ahad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zafar A. Reshi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Humeera Rasool
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Waseem Shahri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. R. Yousuf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Burhan Ahad .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Khalid Rehman Hakeem

  2. Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Mohammad Jawaid

  3. Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Umer Rashid

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ahad, B., Reshi, Z.A., Rasool, H., Shahri, W., Yousuf, A.R. (2014). Jatropha curcas: A Prospective Energy Crop. In: Hakeem, K., Jawaid, M., Rashid, U. (eds) Biomass and Bioenergy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07641-6_17

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation