Oil from Acacia

N B L Prasad and G Azeemoddin at the Hyderabad-based Oil Technological Research Institute have discovered that the seeds of an Australian species of Acacia can be crushed to yield oil while the residue forms a protein-rich meal. The oil obtained from the entire seed of Acacia holosericea can be used in paints, surface coatings and soaps, while that extracted only from the aril -- extra seed covering -- can be used in cosmetics and toiletries.

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, has recently introduced A holosericea into India for afforestation projects. It can survive on a variety of soils and tolerate severe drought, frost and salinity.