Alternative biomass from semiarid and arid conditions as a biofuel source: Calotropis procera and its genomic characterization

Abstract

Rajasthan has the largest area of wasteland in India measuring up to 60% of the total wasteland of India. It also occupies overgrazed pastures, beachfront, roadsides, and denuded areas. Calotropis is the first colonizer on the sand dunes and wastelands. Calotropis prefers open habitat with little competition. Calotropis is distributed in western India and central India mainly in semiarid and arid regions. It contains latex which is 30% hydrocarbons mainly triterpenoids. These hydrocarbons can be converted into biofuels. Thus, this plant can be a potential biofuel source of the semiarid and arid regions of the world.