Production of Biodiesel and Nontoxic Jatropha Seedcakes from Jatropha curcas

Abstract

Different processes for transesterification of Jatropha biodiesel production are currently available. Among them are homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis or enzyme catalysis alcohol treatment, supercritical alcohols, lipase-catalyzed in situ reactive extraction, and homogenous-catalyzed in situ transesterification. High cost of biodiesel production is the major impediment to its large-scale commercialization. Methods to reduce the production cost of biodiesel must be developed. One way to reduce production costs is to increase the added value of protein-rich Jatropha seedcakes, the by-product of oil extraction, through detoxification process. Development of integrated biodiesel production process and detoxification process results in two products, namely biodiesel and protein-rich seedcakes that can be used for animal feed. This chapter provides information concerning Jatropha potential, current development of biodiesel and nontoxic seedcakes production from Jatropha curcas and implication of biodiesel production on global warming, environmental impact, and energy efficiency.