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Biodiesel From Hydrocarbons- Several plant species and some algae accumulate hydrocarbons, which can be used as fuel. The plant species producing hydrocarbons usually accumulate them in the form of latex. Such plants are mainly of three types:

(i) members of the family Euphorbiaceae, e.g., certain species of Euphorbia (E. lathyris),

(ii) milk weeds (Asclepias spp.) and

(iii) a tree called C. multijuga.

The euphorbeans and milkweeds can be grown in relatively dry environments on lands not suited for crop production; this makes them highly attractive sources of biofuels, The Euphorbias are relatives of plants used to produce rubber; they produce a latex, which has about 30% hydrocarbons emulsified in water.

Removal of water yields a liquid having hydrocarbons of lower molecular weight than of those present in petrol. For example, E. lathyris latex has reduced terpenoids (5% of plant dry weight) and hexoses (20% of plant dry weight). The terpenoids can be converted into a gasoline like product, while the sugars can be converted into ethanol.

According to an estimate, E. lathyris can yield about 25 tons biomass ha/yr; this would give an energy equivalent of 26 MJ in the form of reduced terpenoids and 22 MJ as ethanol.

It would be quite rewarding to enhance the hydrocarbon yields of such plants using agronomic, plant breeding and recombinant DNA approaches. Milkweeds, e.g., A. speciosa, also produce a latex having about 30% hydrocarbons.

The leguminous tree C. multijuga is a native of Brazil, fixes nitrogen in its root nodules (which makes its cultivation less dependent on nitrogenous fertilizers), and grows up to 30 m in height. It can be tapped twice a year like rubber trees, and produces large volumes of a liquid, which is quite similar to diesel oil. C. multijuga is perhaps the most promising source of biodiesel.

In addition, some fresh water and marine algae are known to accumulate hydrocarbons. For example, the unicellular alga Botryococcus braunii accumulates as much as 75% of its biomass in form of hydrocarbons.

Many other red, brown and green algae, diatoms and phytoplanktons also produce variable amounts of hydrocarbons. Large scale production of a suitable alga for hydrocarbon yields may become a feasibility. The present status of biodiesel projects is generally on an experimental scale.
 

 
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