Kumasi: Researchers at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) have found out that oil from the Jatropha curcas plant can be converted into a high-performance engine lubricant. They said the lubricant met international standards and could perform reliably over 12,000 kilometres of motorcycle use.
According to Ghana News Agency, the researchers developed the bio-lubricant by chemically modifying Jatropha oil through esterification, transesterification, and epoxidation before blending it with performance-enhancing additives. Laboratory tests published in the International Journal of Emerging Research in Engineering Science and Management confirmed the molecular changes, while industry-standard ASTM and ISO methods were used to evaluate its physical and chemical properties.
The bio-lubricant recorded a high viscosity index of 227, meaning it maintained stable performance across a wide range of operating temperatures. It demonstrated strong safety and durability characteristics, including a flash point of 230°C, a pour point of -20°C, low free fatty acid content, and an acid value below recommended limits, all of which indicate good thermal stability and resistance to degradation.
To assess its real-world performance, the researchers tested the lubricant in a motorcycle engine over 12,000 kilometres. Although the viscosity index declined to 192.9 during operation, the lubricant retained acceptable viscosity and thermal stability throughout the test period. Engine wear was also evaluated using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, while metal wear particles remained within original equipment manufacturer (OEM) guideline ranges, suggesting that the bio-lubricant provided adequate protection for engine components during prolonged use.
The researchers concluded that Jatropha curcas oil was a viable renewable base stock for producing automotive lubricants, demonstrating that plant-based oils could deliver the performance required for modern engines while reducing dependence on petroleum-derived products. Dr. Benneta Koomson, a co-author, explained that the aim was to gradually move away from petroleum-based products towards plant-based precursors such as Jatropha curcas oil.
She described the Jatropha curcas as a stress-resistant perennial plant which grew on marginal soils and was widespread throughout arid and semi-arid tropical regions. It has been used as a traditional folk medicine in many countries and is a source of several secondary metabolites with medicinal importance, including glycosides, tannins, phytosterols, flavonoids, and steroidal sapogenins. These compounds exhibit a range of medicinal properties, and Jatropha curcas plant products also offer anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. In Ghana, it is referred to as 'akaneadua,' 'aborototo,' or 'nkrangyedua' in the Twi dialect.