Indian ‘breakthrough’ boosts moringa tree potential as biofuel feedstock

Indian bioenergy crop research and development company Advanced Biofuel Center (ABC) has reached a breakthrough in the use of moringa oil in biofuel production.

ABC has developed a new variety of moringa tree seed, named Maru-Moringa (MOMAX3) after the location of its discovery, after several years research and trials.

The MOMAX3 cultivar is noteworthy for producing very high quality moringa oil in five times higher quantities than other available moringa seed varieties.

Research at the ABC has also shown that moringa oleifera plants, also known as the drumstick tree, can produce biofuel more efficiently than other well-known feedstocks.

“I like to call it a super plant,” said DP Maharshi, CEO at ABC and president at Moringa India. “There is so much potential and there is so much that we can do with it, and that gives me the motivation to keep going.”

To grow a successful, sustainable biodiesel industry, feedstock development is essential, according Maharshi.

“You can’t understand the feedstock potential without understanding the agricultural differences,” he added.

ABC developed the rust-resistant MOMAX3 through its research, many experiments, field trials, and demonstrations.

The introduction of the trait provides a critical defensive attribute to ensure plant health and yield preservation.

The superfood-production aspect of moringa research reveals that it is potentially gold standard when it comes to sustainability, as the MOMAX3 farms “show real promise to transform unproductive land into productive farmland supporting food security and cleaner skies.”

“The market cares for price, volume, and competition,” Maharshi said. “I wish people understood how much money and time it takes to build sustainable fuels”

In addition to improved disease resistance, additional plant attributes of ABC’s MOMAX3 include improved germination rates and improved stress and insect tolerance, along with early flowering and fruiting.