Carthame or Safflower (Carthamus tintorius, Compositae). Grown mainly in India, Mexico, Ethiopia, Australlia and cultivated in USA. The plant was known in ancient Egypt (mummy of pharaoh Amenophis I, 1600 B.C.), in the Persian Gulf and used until recently for its tinctorial properties (pink, red color). 

Oil content: 30-40%. The oil which has one of the highest linoleic acid content (75-80%) is used in lipochemistry, human nutrition and dietetic. Thus, safflower oil is utilized as cooking oil and in the form of salad oil, mayonnaise, margarine and in processed foods. Nonfood uses are coatings, paints, and alkyd or polyamide resins.
Most of the commonly cultivated varieties contain more than 70% linoleic acid in their oil but some varieties have been developed with high oleic (up to 70%) or stearic (5-10%) acid contents.

The world production of safflower seeds was about 20,000 tons in 1999, 36% being from India. Although the cetane number of Biodiesel produced from this plant is lower in comparison to other plants, yet its iodine value is in accordance with ASTML.In Pakistan this crop is cultivated in Provinces of Sind and N.W.F.P on small scale.

Yet by proper bioengineering of this plant, it is possible that this plant will contribute to Biodiesel production on large scale in Pakistan. 

Hi Biodiesel fans,

Just a quick note to welcome my readers to this brand spanking new biodiesel blog.

Here you'll find the latest biodiesel news as well as contributions from readers all over the world.

Feel free to add your comments to the bottom of each article… let's get some discussions going.

Also, if you'd like to become a contributing author yourself then please contact me at biodieselfuelonline "at" gmail.com

Happy reading!

Matt