Potential Applications of Mahua (Madhuca indica) Biomass

The genus Madhuca, belonging to the family of Sapotaceae, is a multipurpose tree with its species, Madhuca latifolia, M. longifolia and M. butyracea being the most prevalent. The tree is economically important because of widespread uses of almost its every part. The present paper reviews information about ecology, distribution, species of mahua, different parts and their uses focusing on flowers, oil and seed cake. Flowers are used for the treatment of skin diseases, preparation of intoxicating liquor and various nutraceuticals. Production of biodiesel from mahua seed oil is recently gaining considerable importance. After the extraction of oil, approximately 60% is left as de-oiled seed cake. The paper discusses at length the composition of cake and its various applications. The cake is a rich source of sugars, nitrogen and proteins. But, the presence of toxic saponins in it limits its extensive usage. The cake has been used as a low grade fertilizer, bio-pesticide, included in animal feed (up to 20%) and in dye removal from waste waters. Various detoxification methods have also been tried for the use of cake as an improved animal feed only. Not many applications of the raw and detoxified cake have been explored. The paper also deals with the experiments performed to evaluate the use of raw as well as detoxified cake (produced as a result of a simple water treatment) for biogas production and mushroom cultivation. Significant enhancement in the biogas (93%) as well as the mushroom yield (128%) could be obtained.