Biofuel tree in Cuba

Cuban scientists on July 16 announced a plant that could be used to produce biofuels.

So long, Jatropha tree (also known as fence or stalk tree) produces fruit with seeds and is used to produce oil.

But now, scientists from Cuba's Center for Applied Technology and Sustainable Development have succeeded in creating biofuels from Jatropha seeds .

Fruit Jatropha

'Jatropha plants can live in the harshest environment and can be used to produce biofuels,' AFP quoted Jose Sotolongo, director of the center.

There is a small factory in Guantanamo Province (Cuba), capable of producing over 100 tons of biofuel per year.

Mr. Sotolongo said Guantanamo province has about 52 hectares of land to plant Jatropha to supply seeds for the plant.

And the amount of biofuel from this plant is being used to run agricultural equipment in Guantanamo province.

However, Jatropha seeds are very toxic because if ingested even a small amount can lead to death.