The commercial usage of Jatropha by-products increases the efficiency and profitability of the Jatropha and the biofuel industry. Jatropha by-products are nothing but the seed cake and the glycerol that is got during the process of oil extraction. The Jatropha cake left after the extraction of oil can be used as an excellent organic fertilizer and also a power generator.

These cakes are rich in proteins and carbohydrates and also contain bioactive compounds. There is a lot of chance to produce biogas, producer gas, briquettes, other surfactants and lubricants from the Jatropha cake.

Another important by-product of Jatropha is glycerol which is used in the production of Propylene Glycol. Propylene glycol is used in the production of unsaturated polyester resins, polyether polyols, functional fluids, cosmetics, and toiletries flavor.

It is through the transesterification technology that the glycerol is separated from the Jatropha oil. Transesterification is a technology that is used to produce biodiesel from Jatropha oil.

The oil-cake got as a by-product from Jatropha cannot be used as animal feed since they contain toxins like curcasin and crusin. But the detoxified oil-cake can be used as an animal feed, but this will increase the cost for detoxification. So, it’s better to use the oil-cake as a fertilizer.

Studies show that the oil-cake and other residues from the extracted oil have a high mineral content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Hence they can be used as organic fertilizer. It is estimated that one ton of oil-cake is equal to 200 kg of mineral fertilizer.

The sediments of the oil that is left during the purification process also have industrial and commercial value. The residual substance obtained from those sediments is mixed and boiled with caustic soda and water in the preparation of soap.

(edited 26-Nov-2019)