Exploitation of Meat Industry By-products for Biodiesel Production: Pakistan's Perspective.

Fossil fuels including coal, natural gas and petroleum constitute predominant sources for the acquisition of energy. Due to the rapid depletion and continuously increasing demand of these fuels, exploration of renewable substitutes is gaining momentum across the world. Biodiesel represents a biodegradable and renewable alternative to conventional petroleum-based fuel. Furthermore, it has been implicated to reduce the likely emission of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. Residual animal fats (a by-product of meat industry) can be efficiently converted into biodiesel through the process of transesterification. On account of tremendous meatproducing potential, the deployment of residual animal fats for biodiesel production could be quite auspicious for Pakistan. It will not only be a waste management process, but removal of accessory fats will also improve the quality of meat. Besides saving ample foreign exchange, it may help to reinforce the prospects for socio-economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]