Effect of natural, accelerated and saturated salt accelerated aging on the Jatropha curcas L. seeds in optimizing the yield of seed oil as feedstock for biodiesel

Abstract

ABSTRACTUninterrupted and good quality of feedstock is a key factor for biodiesel. Jatropha curcas L. has emerged as a favorite unconventional source of fuel. This paper aims to map the changes in Jatropha curcas L. oil, extracted from seeds subjected to natural aging (NA), accelerated aging (AA) and saturated salt accelerated aging (SSAA) are two methods employed to mimic natural aging. The results depicted that prolonged and intense aging decreased the oil yield and caused deterioration of the oil with a high free fatty acids content, saponification value, peroxide value, and low iodine value. Decrease in oleic acid content is the result of lipid peroxidation due to prolonged storage. However, Jatropha curcas L. seeds subjected to natural aging even up to one year could still serve as the best feedstock because of its resistance towards deteriorative aging effects.