Review Paper:
Recent advancements
in valorisation of Pongamia pinnata, a versatile legume tree for bioenergy and biofuel
applications
Payal, Singh Akhil, Kumar Shivam and Rachapudi Venkata Sreeharsha
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(11); 342-357;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2011rjbt3420357; (2025)
Abstract
Pongamia pinnata, a multipurpose leguminous tree, has risen to eminence as a sustainable
supply of bioenergy and biofuel due to its oil content, tolerance to abiotic stress
and marginal land adaptability. The advancements in omics technologies in the recent
past have played a considerable role towards the genetic enhancement and holistic
exploitation of Pongamia. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses have revealed important
genes and regulatory systems in lipid metabolism, growth and responses to various
stresses. Profiling of the differential gene expression under stress conditions
has helped to understand the tolerance mechanisms that can be used to develop varieties
that are resistant to the climatic conditions. Proteomic and metabolomic studies
have resolved the functions of proteins and metabolic pathways that are keys in
the biosynthesis of oil and accumulation of biomass. New epigenomic research is
stressing the importance of heritable variation in the regulation of genes, as a
factor leading to improved adaptability and productivity.
A wide range of variability in oil content and fatty acid composition amid different
accessions provides a leverage of choice and breeding of high-quality genotypes
in production of biodiesel. In addition to oil extraction, deoiled seed biomass
can be valorized by thermochemical processes to produce bio-oil, syngas and biochar,
or by biochemical processes to produce bioethanol and other bioproducts. Such combined
solutions facilitate a circular bioeconomy, where there is zero-waste usage. This
review addresses the prevailing situation of omics-based developments, processing
technologies and the versatility of uses of Pongamia pinnata, as a guide to future
research and commercial implementation in bioenergy area.
