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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #336948
Research Project: Value-added Bio-oil Products and Processes

Location: Bio-oils Research

Title: Methyl esters (biodiesel) from Melanolepis multiglandulosa (alim) seed oil and their properties

Author
item Knothe, Gerhard
item RAZON, LUIS - De La Salle University
item DE CASTRO, MARIA E - De La Salle University

Submitted to: Biofuels
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2017
Publication Date: 4/10/2017
Citation: Knothe, G., Razon, L.F., de Castro, M.E.G. 2017. Methyl esters (biodiesel) from Melanolepis multiglandulosa (alim) seed oil and their properties. Biofuels. 10(2):239-243. https://doi.org/10.1080/17597269.2017.1309856.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17597269.2017.1309856

Interpretive Summary: Biodiesel is a biogenic alternative fuel to petroleum-derived diesel fuel. Vegetable and other plant oils as well as used cooking oils, animal fats, and algal oils are potential sources of biodiesel. All these feedstocks consist largely of so-called triaclyglycerols. To make biodiesel, the triacylglycerols in these feedstocks must be converted into so-called fatty acid methyl esters which then are biodiesel. In this connection, an issue with biodiesel is ensuring sufficient supply. Therefore, new feedstocks must constantly be sought. This work describes biodiesel from a new feedstock known by its scientific name, Melanolepis multiglandulosa. The biodiesel made from this feedstock is generally acceptable regarding its fuel properties with only the behavior at low temperatures potentially causing problems. Such work enabling sufficient supply is crucial to enhancing the markets connected with biodiesel.

Technical Abstract: Sufficient supply of feedstock oils is a major issue facing biodiesel production. In this work, methyl esters, also known as biodiesel, of the seed oil of Melanolepsi multiglandulosa, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, were prepared using standard conditions, with sodium methoxide as catalyst, and characterized regarding their fuel properties in relation to biodiesel standards. Melanolepis multiglandulosa methyl esters generally meet the requirements of biodiesel standards, with cold flow (cloud point of 5°C) likely being the major technical issue to resolve.