Abstract
The methanolysis of refined vegetable oils (rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, corn oil and olive oil) using a heterogeneous carbonaceous catalyst was studied. Activated carbon (AC) was prepared from beech tree wood and used as the support for KOH and a lipase catalyst. The reactions were carried out for 1–4 h at 60 °C with a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 6:1 and 0.5–1.5 wt.% KOH/AC. In contrast, the biotransformation of vegetable oils was carried out for 24 h at 40 °C with an alcohol-to-oil molar ratio of 4:1 and 5 wt.% lipase/AC. The highest methanolysis yield (99%) for the fatty acid methyl esters was obtained for lipase/AC. These data show that activated carbon is a promising supporter for KOH as well as for lipase in the transesterification reaction of vegetable oils with methanol. The use of both catalysts in the transesterification reaction may improve biodiesel production. The lipase/AC enables the reduction in methanol excess and eliminates waste formation, whereas the saponification of triglycerides is scanty when KOH/AC is used.
Highlights
Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) are widely used in various applications such as: biosurfactants, biolubricants, “green solvents”, hydraulic fluids, dispersing agents, as well as cosmetic and pharmaceutical products [1,2,3,4,5]
A wide range of sources of TAGs such as vegetable oil, animal fats, and algae oil can be used in transesterification
Sunflower oil contains about 40% oleic acid
Summary
Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) are widely used in various applications such as: biosurfactants, biolubricants, “green solvents”, hydraulic fluids, dispersing agents, as well as cosmetic and pharmaceutical products [1,2,3,4,5]. They are non-toxic and renewable with a high degree of biodegradability [6]. The parameters of FAMEs are similar to diesel oil, and they can be used as a biofuel They have low toxicity, good fat solubility, and exquisite wetting at interfaces. This vegetable oil is a noteworthy source of TAGs for the synthesis of FAMEs [1]
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