Abstract
Amazon sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys pardalis) is considered one of the greatest threats to the biodiversity of continental aquatic systems, causing serious economic and environmental problems in the regions. In this work, the production of biodiesel from Amazon sailfin catfish biomass oil is studied. The physical and chemical properties of biofuel produced were evaluated under the specifications of the European standard EN-14214 by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and atomic absorption spectrometry analyses. The results show that the biodiesel complies with all the specifications of the standard, except the content of polyunsaturated methyl esters. The yields obtained from oil and biodiesel were 9.67 and 90.71% (m/m), respectively. The methyl ester concentrations study identified 17 components where 47.003% m/m corresponded to methyl esters with saturated chains, whereas 34.394% m/m was attributed to monosaturated methyl esters and the remaining (18.624% m/m) to polysaturated methyl esters. Finally, mineral analysis by atomic absorption showed the absence of heavy metals Cd, Ni, and Pb, as well as low concentrations of Ni, Fe, Cu, and Zn, demonstrating that the quality of the fuel is not compromised. The study indicates the feasibility of manufacturing biodiesel using Amazon sailfin catfish biomass oil as a low-cost raw material. It represents an environmental option to mitigate a global problem of atmospheric pollution, and at the same time, it shows a commercial alternative to reduce the ecological impact caused by this fish in the diverse ecosystems to which it has spread. In addition, the great adaptability of this fish provides the possibility of a profitable process to have very high rates of reproduction and growth, allowing the generation of large amounts of biomass for the production of biodiesel.
Highlights
Atmospheric pollution produced by the combustion of fossil fuels has become a severe environmental and human health problem
The production of biodiesel from Amazon sailfin catfish oil was studied. e chemical and instrumental analyses showed that produced biodiesel complies with the European standard EN-14214 with respect to the physicochemical properties and mineral composition and methyl esters, which guarantees the proper functioning of the engine
The biodiesel yield obtained was 90.71% (m/m), the acid value and the kinetic viscosity reported are lower than those observed for other fuels derived from fish waste, and the flash point and density are within the ranges of biodiesel obtained with other fish species
Summary
Atmospheric pollution produced by the combustion of fossil fuels has become a severe environmental and human health problem. According to the International Energy Agency, 25% of greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere are produced by combustion engines [1]. Biodiesel represents a viable fuel substitute to reduce the pollutant emissions produced by the combustion of diesel derived from oil in compression-ignition engines. It has several advantages as compared to diesel fuel oil such as its sustainability, its ability to maintain the balance of the carbon cycle, it is biodegradable, it has a level of lubrication, and it reduces the emission of toxic pollutants that are harmful to human health [2, 3]. Is limits its economic competitiveness compared to low-cost production of diesel obtained from petroleum [4, 5]. Many studies have been conducted in recent years in order to identify low-cost raw oil sources such as used vegetable oil, animal waste fats, unrefined vegetable oils, or fish waste from fishing activities [6,7,8,9]
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