PROSPECTS FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM JATROPHA CURCAS: A CASE STUDY OF BANGLADESH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY FARM

In this article, we analyzed the prospects for biodiesel production of Jatropha curcas. This study took place at Bangladesh Agricultural University farm in the Mymensingh district from October 2006 to November 2007. Branch cuttings, collected from mother plants in the Modhupur forest area of Tangail district, were planted in pits on October 2006. Our measurements then focused on plant growth, flowers per plant, fruits per plant, seeds per plant, and the physical characteristics of the Jatropha fruit. The efficiency of oil extraction from the Jatropha seed was compared between chemical and mechanical methods. The results indicated that the former approach was more effective despite its high cost. The percentage of oil content in the Jatropha seed was estimated at almost 36 wt%. Although Jatropha curcas can be utilized as a new cash crop, more research is needed to account for its potential as a biodiesel fuel.