Beauty Leaf Tree oil potential as a fossil fuel alternative
By Greg Chapman
CQUniversity PhD alumnus Rahul Sreekumar is researching how Beauty Leaf Tree can thrive in coastal or saline conditions and become an alternative to fossil fuels.
Dr Sreekumar came to CQUniversity in 2018 after being invited to continue the research that he had started into the Beauty Leaf Tree in India.
“To be able to do PhD research on the same tree species (which has a high potential but is a less studied species) was too fascinating and exciting for me,” he said.
“The Beauty Leaf Tree is a wild Australian tree species which is recognised as a potential biofuel feedstock.
“My research examined the genetic variability of the tree for kernel oil content and salt tolerance. The study also validated novel technologies such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Fourier Transform Near Infrared (FTNIR) spectroscopy in predicting leaf chloride and kernel oil concentrations.”
He said production of the oil from the seeds could aid in the search for an alternative to fossil fuels.
“As Beauty Leaf Trees thrive in coastal or saline conditions, the study aimed to look at the viability of growing the trees in marginal soils by testing seedlings for stress tolerance and physiological responses.”
He said the research was conducted in glasshouse and laboratory facilities at the Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct (CQIRP) of the CQU Rockhampton North campus. Some of the trials were also conducted outside the glasshouse in open air conditions at CQIRP.
Dr Sreekumar’s research has seen him published in several journals, including Sustainability, and the Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy.
More recently Dr Sreekumar has taken up the role of Senior Environmental Officer at the Emerald office of the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.
“While the position is not directly aligned with my research, the skills I gained from the research have helped in my new role, especially for preparing well-researched briefings, technical reports and applying these skills to environmental rehabilitation,” he said.
“More specifically, the role includes assessing activities and industry development proposals throughout the state for a range of environmental matters, including mining, waste management and industrial processes.”
