Consider the following statements:Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree.Tamarind t

Question

Consider the following statements:Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree.Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia.In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce.India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa.Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels.Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Moringa has a straight trunk with cork-like bark. Depending on the species and climate, Moringa trees may be evergreen or semi-deciduous. Moringaceae is a member of the mustard-oil plants, the great group of families that includes the mustards, the capers, the papayas etc. It does not fix nitrogen. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.Tamarind is native to tropical Africa. It is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible fruit, the sweet and sour pulp of which is extensively used in foods, beverages, and traditional medicines. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.Tamarind (with seeds) is classified as minor forest produce. It is also covered under Minimum Support Price Scheme for NTFP. Hence, statement 3 is correct.India produces 1.2-2 million tonne moringa every year making it the largest producer of the crop in the world. The country is also the largest moringa exporter and meets 80 percent of its world demand. Last year China procured huge quantity of moringa seeds from India at Rs 3,000 per kg while the usual cost is between Rs 800 and Rs 1,000 per kg. Tamarind seed is highly nutritious and contains up to 17-20 percent protein. A chemical called Pectin extracted from the seed is added in bakery products. Tamarind is exported from India to about 60 countries. Karnataka is the largest producer of tamarind in the country. About 18 percent of the national production is from Kerala and half of this is from Palakkad district. Hence, statement 4 is correct.Tamarind seed oil biodiesel possesses excellent combustion properties and can be sanctioned for its adoption in engines. Moreover, the tamarind seed oil biodiesel is environment-friendly and can contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions when used as an engine fuel. Moringa seed oil exhibits a high oxidative stability and its thermal stability exceeds other oil crops like sunflower oil, soybean oil amongst others. Biodiesel produced from M. oleifera seed oil exhibits enhanced oxidative ability, high cloud point and a higher cetane number of approximately 67 than for most biodiesels. Hence, statement 5 is correct.