Prospects and Potential of Producing Biodiesel from Minor Seeds of Forest Origin

The world has been confronted with an energy crisis due to depletion fossil resources and increased environmental problems. Such situation has led to the increase of research for an alternative energy such as biofuels from sustainably biomass resources. Among various possible options, fuels derived from vegetable oils present promising greener substitute for biofuels. Among biofuels, biodiesel exhibits fuel properties which are compatible to those of petroleum based diesel which can be used commercially. It is renewable energy fuel for diesel engine and is presently making the research item to mainstream transportation fuel worldwide. Many parts of India is endowed with enormous forest wealth, only a part of it, is utilized and a lot of forest produce goes waste due to unorganized collection. Tree born oilseeds of good potential from forest region should be commercially exploited to narrow down the import of oils. The shortage of vegetable oil supply in recent time period inspired oil technologists for identifying new sources of oils known as minor seeds. There is a vast potential of producing biodiesel from all minor seeds available in different forest belt. The present paper investigates, the minor seeds oil of forest origin such as Jojoba, Milo, Bibwa, Xanthium strumarium, Ziziphus jujube, Sandalwood, Gliricidia sepium etc.