Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
18 Oilseed Brassicas
Muhammad Tahir, Carla D. Zelmer, and Peter B.E. McVetty
University of Manitoba
contents
18.1 Utilization of Vegetable Oils as Energy Sources ................................................................ 453
18.1.1 Traditional/Historical Energy Uses ...................................................................... 453
18.1.2 Biofuels and Biodiesel .......................................................................................... 454
18.1.2.1 Straight Vegetable Oil and Waste Vegetable Oil .................................. 454
18.1.2.2 Biodiesel ............................................................................................... 455
18.1.3 Second-Generation Biofuels ................................................................................. 457
18.1.4 Other Bioenergy Uses of Vegetable Oils .............................................................. 458
18.1.5 Importance of Brassica Oilseeds as Bioenergy Source ....................................... 458
18.1.6 Domestic and Worldwide Energy Usage .............................................................. 459
18.2 Characterization of Brassica Species ................................................................................. 461
18.2.1 Major Brassica Oilseed Species and Their Habit ................................................ 461
18.2.2 Fatty Acid Profiles ................................................................................................ 462
18.2.3 Regional Adaptations ........................................................................................... 463
18.2.4 Genetics, Genomics, and Biochemistry ...............................................................464
18.2.5 Cultivar Development ........................................................................................... 467
18.3 Energy Balance of Brassica Oils ........................................................................................ 468
18.3.1 Energy Balance ..................................................................................................... 468
18.3.2 Comparison with Other Vegetable Oils................................................................ 469
18.3.3 Economic Implications ........................................................................................ 471
18.4 Food-versus-Fuel Considerations........................................................................................ 472
18.5 Future Prospects ................................................................................................................. 474
18.6 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 474
References ...................................................................................................................................... 475
18.1
utIlIzatIon oF veGetaBle oIls as enerGy sources
18.1.1 t raditional /h iStorical E nErgy u SES
Vegetable oils provide energy. This is the reason plants tend to pack lipids into their seeds so that
the stored energy can be used to support germination. In contrast to animal fats, the lipids stored in
the seeds are liquids and are classified as oils or vegetable oils. Several plant species have a remarkable
capacity to store large amounts of oils in their seeds, which can be extracted and used in numerous
ways. Traditional and historical uses of vegetable oils are wide and varied, including food, lubricants,
fuel for paraffin lamps, medicinal and therapeutic uses, spiritual uses, chemical feedstocks, and wood
preservatives. With the development of science and technology, uses of vegetable oils expanded,
based on their qualities and physical and chemical properties (Walker 2004).
The use of vegetable oils as source of energy (non-food) goes back to ancient times when oils
were used in various kinds of lamps to produce light and in some cases burned to produce heat. In
modern times, scientists are endeavoring to enhance production and use of vegetable oils which will
453
 
 
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