Investigation of Punnai Tree for Biodiesel
October 14, 2015http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2015/10/04/indian-researchers-investigating-local-mangrove-like-oilseed-tree-for-biodiesel/
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In India, the Punnai tree (Calophyllum inophyllum) population has been dwindling in the last three decades due to its rich timber value. However, scientists have begun repopulating this tree for its biofuel.
Scientists in the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) have managed to clone a few varieties of this tree that are rich in oilseeds. Researchers believe biofuels from Punnai trees can run pumpsets, generators and machineries that require petrol or diesel. A five-year old tree that has been properly cared for can provide two harvests per year, averaging 2.1 liters of oil per harvest.
"Not many people know that the oil extracted from the tree's seeds can be used as a biofuel," says Anandalakshmi Ravichandran, who has been studying tree-borne oils for the past decade.
The tree, which is found in many parts of South India, can even survive on loose soil or sandy soil. However, the tree takes at least five to six years to mature and start yielding fruits or oilseeds.
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