Biofuel feedstock catches eye of A. Duda & Sons
Biofuel feedstock catches eye of A. Duda & Sons
In less than two years, biofuels have gone from promising fossil-fuel alternative to scourge of the planet.
Criticisms surrounding feedstock for biofuels tend to center on two main points of contention: that growing feedstock for biofuel takes good agricultural land out of production, thus leading to escalating food prices and exacerbating global hunger; and that the world's thirst for biofuels has led to deforestation and its attendant problems.
One feedstock that largely has risen above the cacophony of negativity is Jatropha Curcas, one of 175 different plants, shrubs and trees in the Jatropha family, which produces seeds containing up to 40 percent oil. The shrub typically grows in hot, arid regions around the world.
Oviedo, FL-based A. Duda & Sons Inc. -- parent company to Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., which has numerous branches around the nation -- has been looking at growing feedstock for the biofuels industry and has begun investigation into potential crops for biofuel feedstock through its new products division.
"We are interested in crops that will not affect food production, and Jatropha seems to be one of the best bets," said John Foley, new products manager for A. Duda & Sons. He cautioned that there remains "lots of work to be done before we can be sure it will produce profitable yields."
Most varieties of Jatropha fruit worldwide are toxic to humans and animals. But the seed from the fruit can be crushed and refined, and the output is pure biodiesel (B100). Additionally, the residue can be used as an organic fertilizer or for power generation.
Jatropha can grow in poor soil conditions and with little water and fertilization, so it does not necessitate taking good agricultural land out of production. Unlike oil palm production -- and sugar cane because of the shifting of where crops are grown -- signs do not point to Jatropha for blame in deforestation and its resultant problems.
Mr. Foley said that there also are questions regarding harvesting Jatropha -- mechanical vs. manual -- and the disposition of the biomass once the oil is removed from the nut.
"We are just beginning the investigative stage of this project and still have many more questions than answers," Mr. Foley said. "Whatever we do, it will likely begin in Florida."
As part of Duda's investigation into biofuels, Mr. Foley attended the JatrophaWorld 2008 conference held June 9-11 in Miami.
"At this stage, it is difficult to say where a project like this may lead," Mr. Foley said. "It is conceivable, however, that we could eventually meet some of our own fuel needs with biodiesel produced from our own Jatropha."
Mr. Foley said that it is his understanding that significant seed research still needs to be done on the development of Jatropha varieties, particularly for cold tolerance. Though Jatropha shrubs can thrive under poor conditions and can bear fruit for some 50 years, the otherwise hearty shrub does not handle cold weather well at all.
"We have not planted any Jatropha yet," Mr. Foley said. "However, we are considering some test acreage on marginal land to determine the water and nutrients needed to grow plants with acceptable yields."
Mr. Foley said that the company has discussed growing the biofuel feedstock switchgrass, which is reputed for its ability to grow virtually anywhere and under any soil conditions. An investor group has approached Duda about growing sweet sorghum as a biofuel.
Criticisms surrounding feedstock for biofuels tend to center on two main points of contention: that growing feedstock for biofuel takes good agricultural land out of production, thus leading to escalating food prices and exacerbating global hunger; and that the world's thirst for biofuels has led to deforestation and its attendant problems.
One feedstock that largely has risen above the cacophony of negativity is Jatropha Curcas, one of 175 different plants, shrubs and trees in the Jatropha family, which produces seeds containing up to 40 percent oil. The shrub typically grows in hot, arid regions around the world.
Oviedo, FL-based A. Duda & Sons Inc. -- parent company to Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., which has numerous branches around the nation -- has been looking at growing feedstock for the biofuels industry and has begun investigation into potential crops for biofuel feedstock through its new products division.
"We are interested in crops that will not affect food production, and Jatropha seems to be one of the best bets," said John Foley, new products manager for A. Duda & Sons. He cautioned that there remains "lots of work to be done before we can be sure it will produce profitable yields."
Most varieties of Jatropha fruit worldwide are toxic to humans and animals. But the seed from the fruit can be crushed and refined, and the output is pure biodiesel (B100). Additionally, the residue can be used as an organic fertilizer or for power generation.
Jatropha can grow in poor soil conditions and with little water and fertilization, so it does not necessitate taking good agricultural land out of production. Unlike oil palm production -- and sugar cane because of the shifting of where crops are grown -- signs do not point to Jatropha for blame in deforestation and its resultant problems.
Mr. Foley said that there also are questions regarding harvesting Jatropha -- mechanical vs. manual -- and the disposition of the biomass once the oil is removed from the nut.
"We are just beginning the investigative stage of this project and still have many more questions than answers," Mr. Foley said. "Whatever we do, it will likely begin in Florida."
As part of Duda's investigation into biofuels, Mr. Foley attended the JatrophaWorld 2008 conference held June 9-11 in Miami.
"At this stage, it is difficult to say where a project like this may lead," Mr. Foley said. "It is conceivable, however, that we could eventually meet some of our own fuel needs with biodiesel produced from our own Jatropha."
Mr. Foley said that it is his understanding that significant seed research still needs to be done on the development of Jatropha varieties, particularly for cold tolerance. Though Jatropha shrubs can thrive under poor conditions and can bear fruit for some 50 years, the otherwise hearty shrub does not handle cold weather well at all.
"We have not planted any Jatropha yet," Mr. Foley said. "However, we are considering some test acreage on marginal land to determine the water and nutrients needed to grow plants with acceptable yields."
Mr. Foley said that the company has discussed growing the biofuel feedstock switchgrass, which is reputed for its ability to grow virtually anywhere and under any soil conditions. An investor group has approached Duda about growing sweet sorghum as a biofuel.
