*5.1.2.1.4 Karanja (*Pongamia Pinnata*)*

Karanja (*Pongamia Pinnata*) is a medium sized evergreen tree, naturally found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Florida, Australia, South East Asia. Karanja has been successfully introduced to humid tropical regions of the world and parts of China, Australia, USA and New Zealand. Karanja tree is similar to the neem tree and is highly tolerant to salinity which can grow in different soil textures such as sandy, stony and clay [76]. Historically, in India and neighboring countries, karanja has been used as a source of traditional medicines, green manure, animal fodder, water-paint binder, timber, fish poison, pesticides and fuel. Recently, it has been identifiedas a viable source of oil for biofuel industries. About 9 kg-90 kg seeds pods are obtained from one tree, yielding upto 40% oil, per seed and about 8 kg–24 kg kernel is obtained from one tree and yields 30–40% oil [93]. The yield of kernels per tree has been reported to be about 8 to 24 kg with composition: 27.5% oil, 19% moisture, and 17.4% protein. The oil of karanja is reddish brown and rich in oleic acid and unsaponifiable matter (**Figure 19**) [94].

Many researchers have utilized karanja oil as feedstock for biodiesel production. It has been reported that the biodiesel obtained from karanja shows excellent properties such as low acid value, lower viscosity and higher flash point. Naik et al. [95] followed two steps process for the production of biodiesel from karanja oil with 20% free fatty acid. First, acid-catalyzed esterfication was applied using 0.5% (w/w) H2SO4, 6:1 methanol to oil ratio at 65°C. The acid treated oil was later transesterifiued with KOH using 1% (w/w) potassium hydroxide, 6:1 methanol to oil ratio to lower the FFA content. The yield of biodiesel obtained by dual step process from karanja oil was 96.6–97% at 65°C.
