Jatropha curcas, known locally as Tuba Bakod, holds a significant place in traditional medicine and is emerging as a promising source of biofuel. For generations, Filipinos have utilized this plant for its medicinal properties, addressing ailments such as rheumatic pains, snake bites, and even using it as an insecticide. The leaves, when heated with oil and applied topically, provide relief from muscle ailments like rheumatic pain. However, it’s crucial to note that the fruit and seeds are poisonous if ingested. While the leaves possess anti-inflammatory properties, excessive internal use should be avoided due to their toxicity. Pounded leaves can be prepared as a poultice to aid in treating snakebites and act as an effective insecticide. Jatropha curcas is an erect shrub with leaves that are typically rounded at the base, pointed at the tip, and toothed along the margins. It is widely distributed throughout the Philippines and neighboring Asian countries.
Beyond its medicinal applications, Jatropha curcas has gained recognition as a cost-effective alternative and additive to conventional diesel fuel. Unlike coconut oil or alcohol-based additives, Jatropha offers a more economical solution. The production costs associated with coconut oil, where a liter of pure coco biodiesel can exceed P120 (US$2.50), limit its widespread use as a fuel alternative. Jatropha curcas presents a viable and affordable alternative.
The ease of propagation and the lack of significant demand have made Jatropha a cost-effective resource. Impressively, 3 kilos of seeds can yield approximately 1 liter of oil. The oil extraction process is straightforward, involving sun-drying and grinding the seeds, unlike the more complex methods required for coconut oil and alcohol-based biodiesel production.
India is at the forefront of Jatropha curcas biodiesel fuel development. Awareness is growing in the Philippines, fueled by media coverage. There is hope that the government will actively promote this biofuel. Research and development efforts are underway at the PNOC Energy Development Corp. in Diliman, Quezon City, to further explore jatropha biodiesel production in the Philippines.
India is considering planting jatropha across 33 million hectares of wasteland. Such extensive plantations could potentially produce enough oil seeds to meet India’s annual diesel fuel requirement of 40 million tons. Approximately five tons of jatropha oil seeds can yield two tons of biodiesel.
Proponents of jatropha biodiesel emphasize that the plants thrive in poor, degraded soils with minimal inputs. They are also resistant to grazing animals, pests, and diseases, making them a sustainable and resilient crop.