Hydrocarbon Plants as New Sources of Alternative Energy with Special Reference to Euphorbia Cotinifolia: A Review

Abstract

Abstract:he latex producing plants belonging to families Euphorbiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Apocynaceae, Urticaceae, Convolvulaceae, Sapotaceae were reviewed for their suitability as petrocrops. Latex is a milky fluid secreted by lactiferous canals found in roots, stems, leaves and fruits of all flowering plants. The milky sap is a rich source of triterpenes as secondary metabolites. The latex of such plants contains hydrocarbons of high molecular weight. The entire plant of Euphorbia cotinifolia (family Euphorbiaceae) is known to contain latex which is a rich source of hydrocarbons and thus a valuable potential source for bioprospection for biofuel. This review focuses on currently available and relevant information among petrocrops and their biochemical pathways. Further, it discusses biotechnological approaches in different petrocrops and their suitability as biofuel.