An ongoing research project at the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS) is evaluating the potential of the species Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms – an aquatic plant popularly known as Water Hyacinth – as a source of oils for the production of biodiesel. The research results were presented in the article “Biodiesel production potential of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms: comparison of collection sites and different alcohol transesterifications” in the journal Scientific Reports, one of Nature’s publications.
According to scientists, biodiesel made from fatty acids extracted from the plant can meet the quality standards required by the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP).
The Water Hyacinth is a species native to South America that adapts to different environments and has a high capacity for propagation in environments contaminated by excess organic waste. It has been researched as a tool for phytoremediation projects in aquatic environments. According to professor Leila Cristina Konradt Moraes, the plant “removes nitrogenous materials and phosphates from the environment, as well as some heavy metals” and the possibility of commercially using the oils accumulated by the plant in the production of biodiesel “makes its use even more promising”.
Furthermore, as the species is not used for human consumption – as is the case with soybeans or canola – it has the advantage of not diverting agricultural resources.
TCC
The research is the result of the course completion work (TCC) of UEMS Environmental Engineering student Aricely Aparecida Silva Leite under the guidance of professor Leila Cristina Konradt Moraes. The data obtained was adjusted and statistically analyzed with the collaboration of other researchers at the university for publication.
In the published article, biodiesel obtained from plants collected in the municipalities of Dourados and Corumbá was compared. The result indicated that the biofuel produced from populations cultivated in environmentally impacted environments in Dourados, produced a biodiesel with more adequate physical-chemical properties than that produced from the macrophyte collected in Corumbá.
The researchers say that for this product to become viable on a commercial scale, it requires investment, studies on larger scales and the interest of public authorities. The prof. Dr. Leila highlighted that the team continues to work on research with collections of plants from four other different aquatic environments to understand more precisely the plant’s growth and absorption behavior in different contaminant conditions and biomes, in addition to also working with other macrophytes.
The article can be accessed by clicking here.
Fábio Rodrigues – BiodieselBR.com
With information from UEMS
Tags: UEMS shows aquatic plants potential biodiesel production
