Mild conditions in the transesterification reaction of babassu oil and purified fusel oil

Abstract

Fusel oil, a residue from ethanol production, can be used as a source of alcohol in the synthesis of biodiesel. Babassu oil is a Brazilian native plant that has high oil productivity, and its use in transesterification reactions may be a source of triglycerides. This study aimed to purify fusel oil in order to obtain isoamyl alcohol for use in the alkali-transesterification reaction with babassu oil. Purification of fusel oil was promising since achieving 96% purity in the content of isoamyl alcohol, adding value to the said residue, was possible. The reaction of babassu oil with isoamyl alcohol showed 94% conversion into esters and was higher than that with soybean oil, which showed 86% conversion, under the same reaction conditions at 25 °C, 1 h, and oil: alcohol ratio of 1:10. These temperature conditions are considered mild for obtaining biodiesel, which is obtained at higher temperatures when larger chain alcohols are used. Physicochemical properties were in line with the literature and met the standards.