Jatropha curcas as Biofuels Feedstock in Vietnam

The tropical crop Jatropha curcas, commonly called purging nut, is considered as a source of biofuel in Vietnam. Researchers at Ho Chi-Minh City-based Institute for Tropical Biology have grown the crop in the southern province of Binh Phuoc as a part of a pilot project to initially gauge the growth conditions and biofuel potentials of the crop.

Purging nut is drought resistant and can grow in diverse soil types. The suitable weather and soil conditions in the area is conducive for the fruit development of the purging nut in six to twelve months. The seed contains 35-45% oil, producing 2,500 to 3,000 liters of bio-diesel a year. The crops wastes can also be used to produce organic fetilizers because it contains high protein and some anti-pesticide compounds.

This tropical crop is native to Mexico and Central America, is cultivated in many other Latin American, Asian and African countries as a hedge, and has a life span of 30-40 years

For details of the news article email Hien Le Biotech Vietnam at hientttm@yahoo.com.