Impact of the North Dakota Growing Location on Canola Biodiesel Quality

Abstract

AbstractCanola biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters, FAME) may have superior cold flow properties when compared to other biodiesel feedstocks, which is attributed to canola's high unsaturated and low saturated fat content. The objective of this study was to evaluate canola biodiesel fatty acid composition, cloud point (CP) and oil stability index (OSI) among several ND locations and production years. In Experiment 1, bulked canola varieties from seven growing seasons (2003–2009) were analyzed and in Experiment 2 a single canola variety (Interstate Hyola 357RR) harvested at two locations (2003–2005, and 2007) were analyzed. FAME was produced directly from seed via in situ alkaline transesterification methods. CP ranged from −0.1 to −2.4 °C and was significantly impacted by year and location. FAME generally met the ASTM B100 specification for OSI (3 h), but increased seed storage decreased stability. No significant differences were detected in FAME composition, and iodine value ranged from 108 to 123 g I2/100 g. A significant relationship between fat saturation and location with CP and stability was not detected among the samples in this study. Variation in fatty acid composition was small; thus, the significant variability in CP and OSI suggests either differences in minor constituents (antioxidants, waxes) or environmental seed stress impacted biodiesel quality. Our study supports the value of examining biodiesel quality in a canola breeding program.