Pennycress seeds could add to biofuel composition

Research into potential new ingredients for biofuel composition has revealed that the unwanted roadside weed pennycress may be a source for sustainable fuel.

The study conducted at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has found a substantial yield of seeds within pennycress plants, whose oil could hold promise for the development of biofuel composition.

Particular use of pennycress-derived biodiesel in cold climates could arise from its low cloud and pour points at -10 and -18 degrees C respectively.

These figures are favourable compared with biodiesel derived from soybean, the researchers say.

Other plants in the Brassicaceae family, to which pennycress belongs, include mustard, camelina and canola, all known to be good seed-producers.

Although the researchers say there is still work to be done on the development of the commodity, they believe pennycress could prove to be a suitable source for standards-compliant biodiesel.

The USDA's Agricultural Research Service carries out experiments at 100 different locations into issues affecting the everyday lives of US citizens.