Question

A new crop which is the source of high performance lubricants is
A. Simmondsia chinensis
B. Parthenium argentatum
C. Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
D. Leucaena leucocephala

Answer 1

Hint: High performance lubricants are the ones which can be used in machinery which involve pressure changes. It cannot be used in machinery with temperature changes as it will affect the lubricants nature.

Complete answer:
Lubricants used in the world are mostly mineral oil based. But as they pose a threat to the environment as they contain toxins and they are not biodegradable. Also use of them on a large scale will lead to their depletion. So the world has started to rely more on plant and animal based oils which are biodegradable. Also it is found that these oils have more viscosity and flash point. Examples of prominent oil crops are soybean,sunflower,palm,mustard,flax etc.

Now let’s analyze the options to find the crop with high performance lubricant.
Option A) Simmondsia chinensis is also known as jojoba. Jojoba seeds are found to have 50% liquid wax. This can be used in machinery as high performance lubricant as they can withstand pressure changes,but not temperature change. The jojoba oil takes upto 50% of the weight of the seed.
Option B) Parthenium argentatum is also known as Guayule. It is a desert plant and it is used for rubber production on a commercial basis. It requires less water and nutrients and it is a known source of high quality rubber. It cannot be used as a lubricant.
Option C) Psophocarpus tetragonolobus is also known as winged bean or goa bean. It is a legume plant whose most part is edible. It is known to be used for its disease resistance capability. The leaves of this plant can be eaten like spinach. Seeds of these plants however,can be used for oil production just like soybean. Even though it is not considered to be a high performance lubricant.
Option D) Leucaena leucocephala is also known as wild tamarind. It is a fast growing tree mostly found in tropical areas. It is used as a high quality fodder for animals to boost weight gain. Tamarind is found to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Tamarind oil extracted from the tamarind seed is found to reduce blood-sugar level and cholesterol levels. This oil is also not used as a lubricant.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)

Note: Jojoba oil is used on the skin to make it smooth and for moisturizing properties. It is also used as a remedy for chapped lips and skin. It is also found to help the regrowth of hair in bald people. Hence it is a main ingredient in cosmetic items like lipsticks and skincare and hair care products.