Iranian Researchers Make Biodiesel from Flixweed

Iranian researchers have produced biodiesel from flixweed as a potential renewable energy substitute. Researchers at the Islamic Azad University produced 2 liters of biomass with a capacity to turn into a biofuel.

Flixweed is also known as herb-Sophia and tansy mustard, and is a member of mustard family like the oilseed crop, canola. Researchers selected flixweed because it needs no cultivation, attention, herbicides and irrigation to grow. It is also adapted to various climates and is non-edible.

Mehdi Alami, an analytical chemistry graduate of the Islamic Azad University, said that experiments with the crop revealed it contained 22% oil and fatty acids, making it apt for biofuel and biodiesel production.