Abstract
Cnicus benedictus fruits were used as raw material to extract oil, and the resulting oil was converted into biodiesel. Two extraction methods were tested: batch extraction, and ultrasound assisted extraction. Response surface methodology was considered for the optimization of the process efficiency. The selected key independent variables were temperature, extraction time, and solid/liquid ratio for batch extraction and ultrasound intensity, temperature, and extraction time for the ultrasound assisted extraction, respectively. The optimal working conditions are different for the two extraction techniques, with respect to temperature, solid/liquid ratio, and extraction time, respectively, leading to higher extraction efficiency in the case of the ultrasound-assisted extraction. Cnicus benedictus oil obtained under the optimal extraction conditions was further esterified with methanol under acid catalysis to yield biodiesel. The biodiesel was characterized through 1H-NMR and the main fuel properties were determined.
Highlights
IntroductionAll of the parts of Cnicus benedictus (CB) are used as extracts, mainly to enhance bile secretion, to stimulate appetite and digestion, mainly due to its high content of cnicin, a sesquiterpene lactone [1,2,3]
The cultivation area provides favourable pedo-climatic conditions for Cnicus benedictus (CB) growth; 2020 was favorable, with higher seed quality and seed production compared to previous years registered for other Asteraceae oil plants
Since we could only find one paper reporting the fatty acids profile of CB oil [7], and nothing has been said about the oil free fatty acids content, methylation was carried out under acidic conditions using BF3 -CH3 OH complex as a catalyst, to ensure total methylation of the fatty acids from triacylglycerols, as well as from Free Fatty Acids Value (FFA) [21]
Summary
All of the parts of Cnicus benedictus (CB) are used as extracts, mainly to enhance bile secretion, to stimulate appetite and digestion, mainly due to its high content of cnicin, a sesquiterpene lactone [1,2,3]. CB extracts possess antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing effects [4,5], which may be attributed to the high tannin content, up to 8% in the whole herb [6]. CB was reported as an alternative oil crop in central Europe, with fruit yields of approximately 2.0–2.5 t/ha, as well as good oil yields of 500–700 kg/ha. The oil content of CB fruits was reported to range between 23–29.2% [7]. The role of minor crops has been reconsidered in Europe by the scientific community due to the fact that these crops could diversify the agricultural production for medicinal and industrial applications
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