MANILA, Philippines--A local firm has started exporting malunggay seeds and moringa oil, which can be used as biodiesel, according to the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office.

In a statement, DA-BPO said countries like Brazil, South Africa and Australia have already sought malunggay seeds from Secura International, a 100-percent Filipino biotechnology firm.

Secura's business includes extracting oil from malunggay seeds and marketing it as edible oil with multiple pharmaceutical uses.

Danny Manayaga, Secura president and chief executive officer, said in the same statement that moringa oil may also soon find its way into these countries.

"Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand are interested in malunggay and the appetite for its oil intensified after they learned its use as an alternative biodiesel," he added.

Secura also targets Japan and South Korea as its next biggest markets for moringa oil. "Because these markets are very near to us, we can deal with them and provide their requirements," he explained.

Meanwhile, Manayaga said Secura was seeking to complete the 500,000 hectares of malunggay plantations that can provide the demand for moringa oil as biodiesel feedstock for North American Biofuels Inc.

He said the US firm had junked jatropha oil and opted to use moringa oil as biodiesel after testing a 100-kilo sample sent by Secura.

Malunggay's leaves, flowers and pods are used as cooking ingredients. The oil, which can be extracted from its leaves, is said to be far superior to olive oil and can be a cheaper alternative natural medicine for common illnesses.