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HERO ID
3336930
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Non-edible plant oils as new sources for biodiesel production
Author(s)
Chhetri, AB; Tango, MS; Budge, SM; Watts, KC; Islam, MR
Year
2008
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
ISSN:
1422-0067
EISSN:
14220067
Volume
9
Issue
2
Page Numbers
169-180
Language
English
PMID
19325741
DOI
10.3390/ijms9020169
Web of Science Id
WOS:000253549200006
Abstract
Due to the concern on the availability of recoverable fossil fuel reserves and the environmental problems caused by the use those fossil fuels, considerable attention has been given to biodiesel production as an alternative to petrodiesel. However, as the biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils and animal fats, there are concerns that biodiesel feedstock may compete with food supply in the long-term. Hence, the recent focus is to find oil bearing plants that produce non-edible oils as the feedstock for biodiesel production. In this paper, two plant species, soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) and jatropha (jatropha curcas, L.) are discussed as newer sources of oil for biodiesel production. Experimental analysis showed that both oils have great potential to be used as feedstock for biodiesel production. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from cold pressed soapnut seed oil was envisaged as biodiesel source for the first time. Soapnut oil was found to have average of 9.1% free FA, 84.43% triglycerides, 4.88% sterol and 1.59% others. Jatropha oil contains approximately 14% free FA, approximately 5% higher than soapnut oil. Soapnut oil biodiesel contains approximately 85% unsaturated FA while jatropha oil biodiesel was found to have approximately 80% unsaturated FA. Oleic acid was found to be the dominant FA in both soapnut and jatropha biodiesel. Over 97% conversion to FAME was achieved for both soapnut and jatropha oil.
Keywords
biodiesel; petrodiesel; non-edible plant oils; soapnut; jatropha curcas L.; sustainability
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