干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Twenty-one species of laticiferous, resinous, medicinal, wild-growing, oil-seed-bearing and essential-oil-yielding plants have been selected and studied for their potential to yield biocrude, which can be processed into oil The spent residues obtained after the recovery of biocrude can be processed to obtain fermentable sugars, ethanol, aromatic chemicals and other value-added chemicals and fuels. An integrated process to produce oil and other value-added chemicals and fuels from potential petrocrops has been suggested after assessing the potential for ethanol and aromatic chemicals production. Potential candidates for petrofarming have been recommended. The paper aims to invite the attention of technologists to petrocrops, as this renewable resource has a great potential to yield chemicals and fuels, and desert land can be utilised to grow these plants. Research in this area should be extended.