2.1.2. Karanja (Pongamia pinnata (L.))

Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (Family Fabaceae – Papilionoideae) is native to India and commonly known as karanja [17]. It has been introduced to humid tropical lowlands in the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, the Seychelles, the United States of America, and Indonesia [18]. In fertile soil, P. pinnata can produce 10–50 kg of seeds/tree and reach yearly production of around 200 t (metric ton) [19]. Seeds of P. pinnata are heavy, contain greater food reserves and around 800–1200 seeds are found to weigh 1 kg. As a legume, it is also able to fix its own nitrogen from the soil thus minimizing the need for adding fertilizer. Further, it has positive bio-ameliorative effect on the nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and organic carbon content of soil. The oil seed consists 19.15% saturated fatty acid (11.65% palmitic acid, 7.50% stearic acid) and 70.70% unsaturated fatty acid (51.59% oleic acid, 16.46% linoleic acid, 2.65% linolenic acid) [20].
