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Does Biodiesel from Jatropha Curcas Represent a Sustainable Alternative Energy Source?

Author

Listed:
  • Isidro Ovando-Medina

    (Centro de Biociencias, Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Carretera a Puerto Madero Km 2.0, Tapachula, 30700, Chiapas, Mexico
    Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., Mexico)

  • Francisco Espinosa-García

    (Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico)

  • Juan Núñez-Farfán

    (Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México, D.F., Mexico)

  • Miguel Salvador-Figueroa

    (Centro de Biociencias, Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Carretera a Puerto Madero Km 2.0, Tapachula, 30700, Chiapas, Mexico)

Abstract

Various government agencies around the world have proposed vegetable oils and their conversion to biodiesel as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. Due to its adaptability to marginal soils and environments, the cultivation of Jatropha curcas is frequently mentioned as the best option for producing biodiesel. In the present work the current situation of proven and potential reserves of fossil fuel, and the production and consumption model for the same are analyzed, in order to later review the sustainability of the production process which begins with the cultivation of J. curcas , and culminates with the consumption of biodiesel. A review of the following topics is proposed in order to improve the sustainability of the process: areas destined for cultivation, use of external (chemical) inputs in cultivation, processes for converting the vegetable oil to biodiesel, and, above all, the location for ultimate consumption of the biofuel.

Suggested Citation

  • Isidro Ovando-Medina & Francisco Espinosa-García & Juan Núñez-Farfán & Miguel Salvador-Figueroa, 2009. "Does Biodiesel from Jatropha Curcas Represent a Sustainable Alternative Energy Source?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 1(4), pages 1-7, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:1:y:2009:i:4:p:1035-1041:d:6197
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Betty Y. López-Zapata & Manuel Adam-Medina & Peggy E. Álvarez-Gutiérrez & Juan P. Castillo-González & Héctor R. Hernández-de León & Luis G. Vela-Valdés, 2017. "Virtual Sensors for Biodiesel Production in a Batch Reactor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Nicole Garner & Antje Siol & Ingo Eilks, 2015. "The Potential of Non-Formal Laboratory Environments for Innovating the Chemistry Curriculum and Promoting Secondary School Level Students Education for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-21, February.
    3. Sinan Erdogan & Cenk Sayin, 2018. "Selection of the Most Suitable Alternative Fuel Depending on the Fuel Characteristics and Price by the Hybrid MCDM Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Castro Gonzáles, Nirza Fabiola, 2016. "International experiences with the cultivation of Jatropha curcas for biodiesel production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 1245-1258.
    5. Julio C. Sacramento Rivero & Amarella Eastmond-Spencer & Javier Becerril García & Freddy S. Navarro-Pineda, 2016. "A Three-Dimensional Sustainability Evaluation of Jatropha Plantations in Yucatan, Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-18, December.

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