Biotechnological applications in agriculture: A new source of edible oil and production of biofertilizer and antioxidant from its by-products

Abstract

Terminalia belerica Roxb ( Combretaceae) known as bahera, found abundant in tropical Asia, is a source of new edible oil (37% by dry weight of kernel), biofertilizer, tannin and antioxidant. The oilcake contains high amount of nitrogen (8.34%). On biochemical evaluation form the oil cake it is evident that about 60% NaCl extractable protein is digestible which can be converted into biofertilizer or some useful fodder. The extractable high quality of tannin present in fruit pulp can be used in the leather industry and herbal medicines. The different processes for the extraction of tannin have been discussed. The maximum tannin was extracted at 135 °C over 12 h with shaking. The seed coat contains high amount of gallic acid (3.2 mg/ml) which showed good antioxidant properties on different vegetable oils.