A journey toward sustainable biofuel: Unlocking the renewable energy potential of Nipa (Nypa fruticans) from mangrove forests in Indonesia

Abstract

The growing global environmental degradation, driven by centuries of fossil fuel use, underscores the urgent need for a transition to renewable energy sources, including biofuels. This shift calls for sustainable biofuel feedstocks from agricultural plants that do not compete with food supplies. Nipa (Nypa fruticans), a native bioresource of Indonesia, emerges as a promising candidate for such sustainable biofuels. While Nipa's ecological role in mangrove forests is well-documented, many of its attributes remain underexplored or scattered across various sources. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of Nipa by examining data from leading databases such as ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. It synthesizes information on Nipa's morphology, distribution, product characteristics (both chemical and physicochemical), and the technological aspects of its biofuel processing. Additionally, the study assesses Nipa's potential as a biofuel within the national energy system and its alignment with sustainability frameworks such as UNECE and GBEP. The findings affirm that Nipa's potential as a renewable and sustainable energy source is supported by its economic, environmental, and social benefits. This study serves as a foundational step toward advancing the development of Nipa as a bioresource with significant future economic potential.