Ottilia De Marco, Gigliola Camaggio and Serena Stifani
University of Bari
University of Bari
The global energy situation is very critical so you need to pay close attention to all possible alternative sources of supply. The agricultural sector can play an important role in this regard and biomass in particular, can help to reduce energy dependence, exploitation of marginal areas, agro-industrial residues and allow the reduction of greenhouse gases.
agricultural crops intended for this purpose are different and there is a lot of attention recently for the Croton tiglium L. which yields an oil with quality e quantitative interessanti per la produzione di biodiesel e per l’impatto ambientale contenuto determinato dalla sua produzione. Si ottiene dai semi del Croton tiglium L.), un arbusto sempre verde , appartenente alla famiglie delle Euphorbiaceae, originario dell’Estremo Oriente che, a causa di un componente resinoso, croton resina, è altamente tossico e irritante.
Il Croton tiglium L trova numerose applicazioni: il legname è adatto per le costruzioni e come legna da ardere; il guscio può essere utilizzato come combustibile nelle stufe;i semi, la corteccia e le foglie degli alberi sono impiegati in campo farmaceutico; l’olio può essere usato come biocarburante nei motori diesel e in campo farmaceutico. In medical field is used since the Middle Ages because of its disinfectant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory. It is not edible because it could be toxic if used in the energy sector.
The plant is suitable for the conditions at 1500 m above sea level. The seeds, which ripen in November and December, are collected (also with a yield of 750-1000 kg / ha) and have a high oil content (40-50%). With chemical and physical characteristics very similar Jatropha oil in recent years is emerging as a valuable bioresources.
oil, which can be extracted through a mechanical process pressure or chemical solvent extraction process is subjected to trans-esterification che permette di ottenere il biodiesel che presenta un buon numero di cetano e punto di infiammabilità. Nel periodo di massima maturazione della pianta è possibile ottenere circa 400-1000 kg di biodiesel/ha. Pertanto l’olio di Croton tiglium L può rappresentare una buona opportunità
L’Italia con una produzione annua (2008) di circa 595.000 t di biodiesel si colloca al terzo posto in Europa dopo la Germania (2.819.000 t) e la Francia (1.815.000 t).
Attualmente, a livello nazionale, il punto di forza dell’intera filiera del biodiesel è rappresentato dalla fase produttiva,mentre la principale debolezza è la reperibilità delle materie prime di partenza. La maggior parte di queste ultime is used in Italy is imported from European countries (France, Spain and Austria) that exstraeuropei (Argentina, South America, Brazil and Canada).
60% of domestically produced biodiesel is also exported to European countries (Germany, France and Austria) as the product of trans-esterification (glycerol) is exported to Asian countries.
At present Italy to improve the biodiesel industry has need for raw materials available throughout the country. In such a way as to minimize imports and avoid incurring a new dependency. An example of growing stock can be represented by the Croton tiglium L.
The use of croton oil as a biofuel, currently is under investigation so we will not have useful data to provide a thorough analysis.
This product has many advantages such as low exhaust emissions, the absence of hydrocarbons, particulates and aromatic compounds, biodegradability, non-edible and therefore its use in the energy sector diverts resources to the sector food. The croton oil could meet the different standards for biofuels, but you need further scientific research in order to assess its possible use as a resource at the national level. The plant croton is also cultivated in European countries, but at present it is not present in Italy, although it could adapt to the territory. It would be important to nurture it and use it as bioresources in Italian forests, providing a practical contribution to combating climate change and global warming.