Jatropha curcas oil a potential feedstock for biodiesel production: A critical review

Abstract

Biodiesel is a low-emissions diesel substitute fuel made from renewable resources. The excessive reliance on edible oils for biodiesel production raises concerns about food-versus-fuel issues including starvation in poor nations. In contrast, non-edible plant oils are extensively utilized in developing countries due to the high cost of edible oils, also driven by their high demand as a food source. In the past few years, research efforts have been directed towards identifying cost-effective and readily available feedstocks for biodiesel production, given that 75 % of the overall production expenses depend upon the choice of feedstock. Therefore, this review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of advancements and developments associated with converting non-edible Jatropha curcas oil (JCO) into biodiesel. A brief comparison of physiochemical properties across different geographical regions is also provided. The study delves into the efficiency, combustion, and emission properties of diesel engines fueled by Jatropha biodiesel. To visualize the evolving landscape of this research, a total of 400 publications from the Scopus Collection databases, spanning the periods of 2002–2022 and 2012–2022, were analyzed using VOSviewer. Additionally, life cycle assessment (LCA) facilitates an understanding of the practical implications and benefits of employing Jatropha biodiesel as a fuel source. Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA), was conducted to study the economic viability of the JCO biodiesel. A brief conclusion about the potential JCO feedstock in biodiesel production and their future perspective is presented.