Analytical and Spectral Studies on Multi-use Hydrocarbanaceous Plant Species of Western Ghats,Tamil Nadu,India

摘要

Large-scale screening of plants growing in the Western Ghats,Tamil Nadu,India was conducted to assess the hydrocarbon production and the type of isoprene compound(s)present.Three species contained more than 3% hydrocarbon.Sarcostemma brevistigma had the highest concentration of hydrocarbon with 3.6%.Seven species contained more than 2% of hydrocarbons amount the plant species screened.The hydrocarbon fraction of Ficus elastica(leaf)had a gross calorific value of 9834 cal/g(41.17 MJ/kg),which is close to the calorific value of fuel oil.Six-hydrocarbon fraction contained gross calorific value,of more than 9000 cal/g(37.68 MJ/kg).Of the 13 species hydrocarbon fraction analyzed,seven species contained cis-polyisoprene compounds,while two species contained trans-polyisoprenes.Cis and trans polyisoprenes are potential alternative energy sources for fuel and/or as industrial raw materials.