Processing of Oilseeds in the Tropics: Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

Oilseeds have been cultivated from antiquity with increasing demand in agricultural industries world trade. Many economies such as Malaysia depend largely on oilseed crops which are grown primarily for the edible oil production; and for additional meal fraction arising from the seed. The meal is rich in protein and used for animal feed. Recent developments in research have posited oilseeds as a viable source for the production of biodiesel. In the tropics, most of the oilseeds are underutilized; and interest in its mass production and utilization are lacking. Some other seed such as neem seeds, pawpaw seeds, Jatropha curcas L. seeds, etc. have not been put to use in tropical countries leading to subsistence production and their applications in other areas. The oilseed crops could be used either for human, animal or for industrial purposes. There is need to increase the volume of production of these oils in tropical countries through improved quality farming techniques that would encourage breeding in other to meet up with increasing demands. Notably, there are many conventional methods that have been used to increase oilseeds yields. However, the adoption of each technology improvement should be sustainable, while other unknown oilseeds should be discovered for increased utilization.

A Review on Potential Biofuel Yields from Cover Crops

“…There are two approaches to use cover crops for energy production: (1) use oil in oilseed crops such as rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, to produce biodiesel or SAF; and (2) use the plant biomass to produce cellulosic ethanol, biogas, syngas, bio-oil, and SAF. The technologies and market for biodiesel from oilseed crops have been well established, although there are still challenges such as the lack of modernization, low oil recoveries, lack of standardization of product quality among small-scale processors [114]. The demand for oilseed crops likely will increase, therefore, improving current technologies and infrastructure, and developing new oilseed crops are important.…”

Transgenic Approaches in the Improvement of Seed Oil and Quality in Oil Seed Crops

“…Oils are obtained using two-step process which involve extraction and refining. Extraction is carried out either by mechanical (pressing) or chemical methods (using different solvents) followed by refining to remove odour, taste or other unwanted components (Ikegwu et al, 2022). As far the composition of vegetable oils is concerned, these are principally composed of triacylglycerols (TAGs) which are energy dense molecules stored in their seed as storage reserve., The oil content, rich in essential n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, in these crops varies from 20% in soybean to 60% in sesame (Foster et al, 2009).…”