The transesterification is a method commonly used in the production of biodiesel. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate interesterification reaction of palm oil with methyl acetate using essential oil biocatalyst, specifically focusing on eugenol and cajuput oil. The operating parameters were: 250 g of palm oil, a molar ratio of palm oil:methyl acetate of 1:6, a reaction temperature of 60ºC, a stirring speed of 300 rpm, a biocatalyst of 0.75 wt. % in relation to oil, and reaction times of 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 min. The palm oil, methyl acetate and biocatalyst reacted in a three-necked flask as a reactor under operating conditions. Additionally, simulations were performed using ChemDraw Professional 15.0 to analyze the molecular behavior of the reacting compounds.
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