Plant Science Research, Vol. 45, 2023

Formulation and Process Development of Biofuel and other products from Mahua (Madhuca latifolia L.)

The genus Madhuca, belonging to the family of Sapotaceae, is a multifunctional tree and is considered a boon by the tribal’s who are forest dwellers and keenly conserve this tree. Mahua flower, seed, fruits and their products are used as a food, fodder and are a nonconventional ingredient in carp feedas well as used as an exchanger in tribal and rural areas. Mahua seeds are rich in edible oil so they have economic importance. Mahua seed oil proved to be cheap and suitable substrate for the production of biofuel. The bioethanol production from Mahua flowers could be increased by developing the traditional methodology, as it is expected to benefit the people of tribal areas in India as well as the bioenergy demand in world in the long run. Flowers have been reported to have various bioactivities and ethnomedicinal uses. Mahua flowers are known to play an immense role in the preparation of valued added food products (biscuit, cake, laddu, candy, bar, jam jelly, sauces etc).