the Tuba
The Tuba-tuba Plant (Jatropha curcas)
Also known as Tubang Bakod in Tagalog, Physic Nut in English or interchangeably tuba-tuba orJatropha. The latest craze to hit the agri-business in the Philippines. Cultivated primarily for its oil to produce biodiesel. The Tuba-tuba has been planted in the Philippines for quite some time but it was used mainly as fencing since it animals do not eat the leaves -even the insatiable goat would not eat the leaves. The ever increasing price of petroleum prices has triggered interest on the Tuba-tuba orJatropha.Jatropha is a drought resistant perennial shrub or small tree that produces seeds up to 35 years but can live up to 50 years. Jatropha grows fast with little or no maintenance and reaches the average height of about 3 meters but it can grow up to 8 meters. Tuba-tuba is one of the most promising sources of bio-fuel today. About 30% of the Tuba-tuba nut is composed of oil. 3 kilos of Jatropha seeds can produce about 1 liter of crude Jatropha oil that can then be processed into biodiesel fuel. This oil can be easily be processed into fuel that can replace or mixed with petroleum based diesel to save on imported oil and most importantly increase local employment and help the economy to grow.
Aside from using the seed oil as biodiesel, the extracted oil can also be used in making soap. - The Jatropha/Tuba-tuba leaves can be used for fumigating houses to expel bugs. - The root extract of Jatropha plant can be used as yellow die while the bark extract as blue dye. While the seeds when pounded can be used for tanning. - The roots, flowers and latex of the Jatropha plant are said to have medicinal properties. - Planting Jatropha reduces soil degradation, erosion and deforestation of the countryside.
Process of Oil Extraction:
Oil is easily extracted from the Tuba-tuba nut by the use of a presser-expeller. This engine driven machine is simple enough to be operated in provinces by village folks. The yield is about 1 liter of oil
Also known as Tubang Bakod in Tagalog, Physic Nut in English or interchangeably tuba-tuba orJatropha. The latest craze to hit the agri-business in the Philippines. Cultivated primarily for its oil to produce biodiesel. The Tuba-tuba has been planted in the Philippines for quite some time but it was used mainly as fencing since it animals do not eat the leaves -even the insatiable goat would not eat the leaves. The ever increasing price of petroleum prices has triggered interest on the Tuba-tuba orJatropha.Jatropha is a drought resistant perennial shrub or small tree that produces seeds up to 35 years but can live up to 50 years. Jatropha grows fast with little or no maintenance and reaches the average height of about 3 meters but it can grow up to 8 meters. Tuba-tuba is one of the most promising sources of bio-fuel today. About 30% of the Tuba-tuba nut is composed of oil. 3 kilos of Jatropha seeds can produce about 1 liter of crude Jatropha oil that can then be processed into biodiesel fuel. This oil can be easily be processed into fuel that can replace or mixed with petroleum based diesel to save on imported oil and most importantly increase local employment and help the economy to grow.
Aside from using the seed oil as biodiesel, the extracted oil can also be used in making soap. - The Jatropha/Tuba-tuba leaves can be used for fumigating houses to expel bugs. - The root extract of Jatropha plant can be used as yellow die while the bark extract as blue dye. While the seeds when pounded can be used for tanning. - The roots, flowers and latex of the Jatropha plant are said to have medicinal properties. - Planting Jatropha reduces soil degradation, erosion and deforestation of the countryside.
Process of Oil Extraction:
Oil is easily extracted from the Tuba-tuba nut by the use of a presser-expeller. This engine driven machine is simple enough to be operated in provinces by village folks. The yield is about 1 liter of oil
References: The Feasibility of Cocos nucifera Oil as an Additive for Quality Candles. Bato Balani Volume 15 Issue 1, Junior. pp. 16-18. Candles, Waxes, Oils. Microsoft Encarta 2004 Further clarification of the procedures and results should be directed to the researchers and adviser.