Researchers at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) have found out that oil from the Jatropha curcas plant can be converted into a high-performance engine. The researchers developed the bio-lubricant by chemically modifying Jatropha oil through esterification, transesterification, and epoxidation before blending it with performance-enhancing additives. To assess its real-world performance, the researchers tested the lubricant in a motorcycle engine over 12,000km. This demonstrates that we can replace, or at least supplement, petroleum-based products with plant-based precursors such as Jatropha curcas oil. Jatropha curcas plant products also exhibit anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities and in Ghana, it is referred to as “akaneadua,” “aborototo” or “nkrangyedua” in the twi dialet.