The two most common types of biofuels in use today are ethanol and biodiesel, both of which represent the first generation of biofuel technology. The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is collaborating with industry to develop next-generation biofuels made from non-food (cellulosic and algae-based) resources.

Various Advantages of Biofuels

• Efficient Fuel. Biofuel is made from renewable resources and relatively less-flammable compared to fossil diesel.
• Cost-Benefit.
• Durability of Vehicles’ Engine.
• Easy to Source.
• Renewable.
• Reduce Greenhouse Gases.
• Economic Security.
• Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil.

Examples of biofuels include ethanol (often made from corn in the United States and sugarcane in Brazil), biodiesel (sourced from vegetable oils and liquid animal fats), green diesel (derived from algae and other plant sources), and biogas (methane derived from animal manure and other digested organic material).

You also probably know the other major sources of biofuel too: corn, sugarcane, wheat, palm oil and soya beans….The seven strangest sources of biofuel

1. Human Liposuction Fat. Yep, biofuel derived from unwanted human flubber.
2. Cheese.
3. Jatropha.
4. Algae.
5. Wine Lakes.
6. Nappies.
7. Kale.

There are three common types of biofuels, which include:

• Ethanol. Ethanol is pure alcohol or ethyl alcohol and is probably the most common alternative biofuel used in motor vehicles today.
• Biodiesel. Biodiesel is becoming more popular, and it mimics the traditional petroleum-based diesel.
• Biobutanol.

Six of the best biofuels

• Sugar cane. Sugar can provide high-energy fuel for machines as well as people.
• Palm oil. This is extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree, which is cultivated in south-east Asia, South America and Africa.
• Oilseed rape.
• Wood.
• Soybeans.
• Algae.

Biodiesel and conventional diesel vehicles are one and the same. Although light-, medium-, and heavy-duty diesel vehicles are not technically alternative fuel vehicles, almost all are capable of running on biodiesel blends.

In India, jatropha seeds were used to produce biodiesel, but the production has not been consistent. Farmers were encouraged to plant jatropha, but the yield was far below what was expected. This led to the raw material cost becoming fairly expensive, making biodiesel even more expensive than petroleum based diesel.

Jatropha is a genus of flowering plants in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The name is derived from the Greek words ἰατρός (iatros), meaning “physician”, and τροφή (trophe), meaning “nutrition”, hence the common name physic nut.

Jatropha curcas is a common plant found all over the world. The poisonous property of the plant is mainly due to presence of toxalbumin called curcin and cyanic acid, related to ricinoleic acid [3]. Though the plant grows in wastelands, it is cultivated mainly for hedges.

Jatropha curcas is known for various medicinal uses. Its antimicrobial, anti-cancer and anti-HIV activity has been well recognized. Because of its broad-spectrum activity, we investigated aqueous and methanol leaf extracts for cytotoxicity and its potential to inhibit hemagglutinin protein of influenza virus.

Jatropha plants need well-drained soil, and while they can handle partial shade to full sun, they will flower best in areas with full sun. This plant is not salt tolerant. Jatropha grows best in zones 10 to 11. They are marginal in zone 9B; frosts and freezes will damage them, but they usually recover quickly.