P. Das
The Science Foundation for Tribal & Rural Resource Development, India
Title: Olax scandens Roxb: A new and potentially rich source of bioethanol and biodiesel
Biography
Biography: P. Das
Abstract
Diminishing petroleum reserves, deleterious effects of exhaust gases on the environment, ever increasing demand and rise in prices have created interests for alternative, eco-friendly and renewable sources of fuels. In recent years, research has been directed to explore plant sources for oils and fats to be used as biofuels. Olax scandens Roxb (family Olacaceae), a scandent shrub found often in ravines, stream banks in the sub-Himalayan tract in Kumaun, upper Gangetic plains, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, the Eastern and the Western Ghats of India with bisexual flowers assured fruit set and high productive potential was found as a promising source for biofuels. The Seed: Pulp ratio was 1:4; hexane mediated extraction of seed (kernel) produced 59% oil and the pulp fermented with Sachharomyces cerevisiae yielded 24.01% ethanol at pH 3.5 and 48.8o C. The physico-chemical properties and fatty acid profiles of the crude and transesterified oils were characterized. Both static and running engines showed significantly enhanced performance in terms of run time and load which may be due to improved lubrication and burning efficiency at B10 and B20 (10% and 20% biodiesel) and E10 (10% bio-ethanol) derived from Olax. Engine emissions i.e., CO, CO2, NOx and other parameters i.e., engine noise and temperature were highly favorable as compared to that of petroleum diesel which might enhance engine longevity.