Plant (Fuel) is the New Fossil (Fuel)

By Jeongwook Na

Figure 1: Finlaysonia obovata, (Keng 2010).

         It is saying that fossil hydrocarbons are going to become depleted, eventually. This is why researchers are actively finding a new source of energy to substitute the fossil fuels. Now, researchers have found a source of fuels and petrochemicals from plants. Mangroves, small trees that grows in salty water near coastal area, shows very promising signs among others. The reason being is that mangroves can grow rapidly and most of mangroves contains abundant fatty acids and hydrocarbon (Mishra and Sree 2014). For example, from leaves of Finlaysonia obovata, a mangrove plant, white waxy solids can be extracted. When these extractions were examined by gas chromatography, the extraction showed that there were about 8 to 30 carbon atoms containing hydrocarbons (Mishra and Sree 2014). The extraction contained about 90 percent of carbon content and lacked nitrogen and oxygen from its structure—this structure indicates its excellent fuel quality. Lastly, these extractions were found to have similar physical characteristics comparing to other sources of hydrocarbons. Overall, since this plant’s extraction have similar physical characteristics as other sources of hydrocarbons and can be generated at rapid pace while generating less pollution in its production and utilization, this ecofriendly extraction shows a promising sign to become a source of alternative fuels to fossil fuels.

Reference

Keng, H. 2010. Finlaysonia obovata. photograph, Kranji.

Mishra, P. M., and A. Sree. 2014. Finlaysonia obovata -A renewable resource of plant hydrocarbons. Environ. Prog. Sustainable Energy Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 34:265–268.