Proceso de domesticación del coyol (Acrocomia aculeata) como una alternativa bioenergética en Costa Rica, Fase II

The government of Costa Rica has set a goal of achieving decarbonization by 2050; to comply with this, it is necessary to seek and develop new alternatives to the use of fossil fuels, such as the use of oilseeds as other sources of biofuels. Coyol (Acrocomia aculeata) has been identified as a species with great bioenergetic potential. Oil is obtained from the fruits, and biodiesel is produced with it. The oil has a high nutritional value. In Costa Rica, in addition to being used as a beverage, the fruits are mostly used as feed for livestock, thus being a natural food source for grazing animals. Apart from this, it is known that its fermented sap can be used to make the so-called coyol wine, a type of liquor common in the Guanacaste area. From the residues of the oil extraction, a great variety of products can be produced, such as coal with high calorific value,

Pellets and other products rich in fiber, lipids, proteins, macro- and micronutrients, components with a large amount of antioxidants, animal and human food.

A group of researchers from state universities took the first steps to use this species within a crop model, where critical factors were identified that must be resolved to achieve domestication of coyol in Costa Rica. During this first phase of the project, coyol trees were identified and characterized in different areas of the country, of which they were established in a germplasm bank located at the Fabio Baudrit Experimental Station. In the second phase, an identification and monitoring of the best plants in the Central and Pacific Region of Costa Rica is proposed, in order to determine the best plants in terms of the quantity and quality of the oil. Among the studies that are proposed to be carried out are: reproductive phenology, genetic and oil characterization, as well as tests of seed germination using different methods to obtain material that can be used by farmers These efforts are aligned with the proposals of the National Bioenergy Program of the MAG, PITTA-Bioenergy, and the carbon neutrality initiative at the country level. International support will also be provided by Dr. Carlos Colombo (Brazil), an expert in genetic improvement of coyol, who, through an internship held in 2018, reaffirmed the joint collaboration with the TEC and will allow the use of the knowledge generated by its team to meet the objectives set. Finally, it seeks to activate agribusiness and accompany farmers, which will allow them to open employment and wealth-generating options, where not only bioenergy would be obtained, but also by-products from agricultural and industrial activity.

Determinar parámetros de caracterización y germinación de semillas de coyol
(Acronomia aculeata), que contribuyan en el proceso de domesticación y la inclusión de esta especie en la cadena bioenergética nacional.

Biotecnología Ambiental