Abstract
Shea butter  was pretreated with sulphuric  acid to convert the free fatty acids to esters and then transesterified to biodiesel using methanol and sodium hydroxide as catalyst. The oil, biodiesel, 10% and 20% blends with diesel were characterized according to ASTM and EN protocols for biodiesel. The fatty acid profile of the oil and biodiesel were analyzed using HP 6890 Gas Chromatography analyzer fitted with a flame ionization detector. From the results obtained, the properties of the biodiesel are by and large within the ASTM limits for biodiesel and the saturation to unsaturation ratio is 0.87 which gives a good balance of properties. The mineral contents are also within the ASTM limits for biodiesel. From the results obtained, it was concluded that the biodiesel can be used as alternative fuel for diesel engines. Â
Highlights
Concerns for the environment resulting from climatic cataclysms such as typhoons, super storms, flooding, draughts, global warming and pollution have led to search for alternative fuels for diesel engines
Other oil yielding seeds that grows in the wild have been investigated and one of such oils is the African shea butter that is extracted from the nuts of Karite tree, which can grow up to a height of 20 metres and a massive 1 to 2 metres trunk diameter
Vegetable oils commonly contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulphur and phosphorus (Allica et al, 2001) and these are regulated because of the adverse effect they can have on the engine. Despite it several applications has not been well researched, the aim of this paper is to provide more information on the physicochemical properties of the oil
Summary
Concerns for the environment resulting from climatic cataclysms such as typhoons, super storms, flooding, draughts, global warming and pollution have led to search for alternative fuels for diesel engines. Vegetable oil has proved a possible alternative but its high viscosity and poor cold flow properties makes direct use problematic without costly transesterification to biodiesel. Other oil yielding seeds that grows in the wild have been investigated and one of such oils is the African shea butter that is extracted from the nuts of Karite tree, which can grow up to a height of 20 metres and a massive 1 to 2 metres trunk diameter. It commonly grows in the wild throughout the west African coast and commercial plantation is uncommon because of the long gestation period as it does nut fruit until after 10-20 years and will not achieve maximum yield until about 30 years but it can continue to yield fruit for 200 years. The nut is edible and contains 1, 2 or sometimes 3 seeds which are covered by a thin layer of hull
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