Production Of Esters Research Articles

Transesterification of Persea americana seed oil to methyl ester using bio-based heterogeneous catalyst: Optimization and techno-economic analysis

The techno-economic analysis of producing biodiesel from agrarian wastes at optimal condition was carried out. The acid activated empty palm fruit bunch ash (AAEPFBA) catalyzed the methyl ester production. The AAEPFBA catalyst was synthesized from waste palm fruit bunch, and modified with phosphoric acid. The activation was best achieved by adding H3PO4 acid in a ratio of 1:2 (g/ml). The modification of the catalyst increased the alkaline properties and surface area and decreased the particle size and adsorption energy. The process variables of temperature 61.9 °C, reaction time of 3.09 h, methanol/oil molar ratio of 10.2:1, catalyst concentration of 3.14wt%, and agitation speed of 321.54 rpm at a desirability of one gave an experimental optimal yield of biodiesel as 90.3%. Based on the experimental study, 3062 litres (2728 kg) of biodiesel was evaluated annually. The annual operating cost, payback period, and internal rate of return are ₦2201288, 1.5 years, and 7.6%, respectively. The sensitivity analysis of oil purchase cost, biodiesel selling price, and labour cost on Return on investment, PBP, IRR, and Net present value were investigated. In this study, the relative biodiesel selling price is a determinant of the profitability of producing avocado pear seed oil methyl ester. The overall results show that investors can embark on biodiesel production using avocado pear seed oil, and AAEPFBA as feedstocks.

Kinetic regularities of neopentyl glycol esterification with acetic and 2-ethylhexanoic acids

Objectives. Development of a domestic technology for producing environmentally friendly non-phthalate plasticizers, lubricants and transformer fluids based on neopentyl glycol (NPG), an oxo-synthesis product.Methods. The methodology of the work was to study the kinetic laws of NPG esterification with acetic and 2-ethylhexanoic acids under self-catalysis conditions with an 8-fold molar excess of monocarboxylic acids. The production of NPG esters was carried out by azeotropic esterification in the presence of solvents—benzene and m-xylene. The resulting diesters were isolated from the reaction mass by vacuum rectification. The purity of the obtained NPG diesters was no less than 99.7 wt %. Analysis of the qualitative and quantitative composition of reaction samples was carried out using infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas–liquid chromatography.Results. The paper presents the results of kinetic studies on NPG esterification of with acetic and 2-ethylhexanoic acids. It compares the reaction rates and reactivity of the acids used. Under the given conditions, NPG diesters were produced, and some of their physicochemical properties were determined. This enabled the data obtained to be used for the development of industrial technology in the production of NPG diesters.Conclusions. It was established that with an eightfold molar excess of acid under self-catalysis conditions, a yield of NPG diacetate equal to 95% is achieved within 20–22 h at an optimal process temperature of 100–110℃; NPG di(2-ethylhexanoate)—within 26–28 h at 160–170℃. The activation energies and pre-exponential factors for the formation of NPG mono- and diesters with acetic and 2-ethylhexanoic acids were established. The paper presents the kinetic models of esterification.

Chlorine radical-mediated photocatalytic C(sp3)−H bond oxidation of aryl ethers to esters

The C(sp3)−H functionalization of naturally abundant alkanes is of great importance, whereas C−H bond oxidation of aryl ethers in a redox-neutral and environmental-friendly manner remains a challenge. Herein, we report a novel method of visible-light-driven C(sp3)−H bond oxidation of aryl ethers selectively into ester products using oxygen as the oxidant. During the photocatalytic reaction using Mes-10-phenyl-Acr+−BF4− catalyst, chlorine radicals are generated from a wide variety of chloride sources and can effectively activate aryl ether C(sp3)−H bonds into alkyl radicals through the hydrogen atom transfer process. Aryl ethers with different substituents can be oxidized to esters in good to excellent yields. This work presents a new photocatalytic strategy for C(sp3)−H oxidation of aryl ethers in a convenient and green manner.

Co-culture fermentation by Saccharomycopsis fibuligera and lactic acid bacteria improves bioactivity and aroma profile of wheat bran and the bran-containing Chinese steamed bread

Co-culture fermentation with yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exhibits advantages in improving the bioactivity and flavor of wheat bran compared to single-culture fermentation, showing application potentials in bran-containing Chinese steamed bread (CSB). To explore the effects of combination of yeast and different LAB on the bioactivity and flavor of fermented wheat bran, this study analyzed the physicochemical properties, phytate degradation capacity, antioxidant activities, and aroma profile of wheat bran treated with co-culture fermentation by Saccharomycopsis fibuligera and eight different species of LAB. Further, the phenolic acid composition, antioxidant activities, texture properties, aroma profile, and sensory quality of CSB containing fermented wheat bran were evaluated. The results revealed that co-culture fermentation brought about three types of volatile characteristics for wheat bran, including ester-feature, alcohol and acid-feature, and phenol-feature, and the representative strain combinations for these characteristics were S. fibuligera with Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Latilactobacillus curvatus, respectively. Co-culture fermentation by S. fibuligera and L. fermentum for 36 h promoted acidification with a phytate degradation rate reaching 51.70 %, and improved the production of volatile ethyl esters with a relative content of 58.47 % in wheat bran. Wheat bran treated with co-culture fermentation by S. fibuligera and L. curvatus for 36 h had high relative content of 4-ethylguaiacol at 52.81 %, and exhibited strong antioxidant activities, with ABTS•+ and DPPH• scavenging rates at 65.87 % and 69.41 %, respectively, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) at 37.91 μmol/g. In addition, CSB containing wheat bran treated with co-culture fermentation by S. fibuligera and L. fermentum showed a large specific volume, soft texture, and pleasant aroma, and received high sensory scores. CSB containing wheat bran treated with co-culture fermentation by S. fibuligera and L. curvatus, with high contents of 4-ethylguaiacol, 4-vinylguaiacol, ferulic acid, vanillin, syringaldehyde, and protocatechualdehyde, demonstrated strong antioxidant activities. This study is beneficial to the comprehensive utilization of wheat bran resources and provides novel insights into the enhancement of functions and quality for CSB.

Extending the computational and experimental analysis of lipase active site selectivity.

Molecular docking is an important computational analysis widely used to predict the interaction of enzymes with several starting materials for developing new valuable products from several starting materials, including oils and fats. In the present study, molecular docking was used as an efficient in silico screening tool to select biocatalysts with the highest catalytic performance in butyl esters production in a solvent-free system, an eco-friendly approach, via direct esterification of free fatty acids from Licuri oil with butanol. For such purpose, three commercial lipase preparations were used to perform molecular docking studies such as Burkholderia cepacia (BCL), Porcine pancreatic (PPL), and Candida rugosa (CRL). Concurrently, the results obtained in BCL and CRL are the most efficient in the esterification process due to their higher preference for catalyzing the esterification of lauric acid, the main fatty acid found in the licuri oil composition. Meanwhile, PPL was the least efficient because it preferentially interacts with minor fatty acids. Molecular docking with the experimental results indicated the better performance in the synthesis of esters was BCL. In conclusion, experimental results analysis shows higher enzymatic productivity in esterification reactions of 1294.83μmol/h.mg, while the CRL and PPL demonstrated the lowest performance (189.87μmol / h.mg and 23.96μmol / h.mg, respectively). Thus, molecular docking and experimental results indicate that BCL is a more efficient lipase to produce fatty acids and esters from licuri oil with a high content of lauric acid. In addition, this study also demonstrates the application of molecular docking as an important tool for lipase screening to achieve more sustainable production of butyl esters with a view synthesis of biolubricants.

Chemical and genetic basis of orange flavor.

Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) exhibits limited genetic diversity and high susceptibility to Huanglongbing (HLB). Breeding HLB-tolerant orange-like hybrids is in dire need. However, our understanding of the key compounds responsible for orange flavor and their genetic regulation remains elusive. Evaluating 179 juice samples, including oranges, mandarins, Poncirus trifoliata, and hybrids, distinct volatile compositions were found. A random forest model predicted untrained samples with 78% accuracy and identified 26 compounds crucial for orange flavor. Notably, seven esters differentiated orange from mandarin flavor. Cluster analysis showed six esters with shared genetic control. Differential gene expression analysis identified C. sinensis alcohol acyltransferase 1 (CsAAT1) responsible for ester production in orange. Its activity was validated through overexpression assays. Phylogeny revealed the functional allele was inherited from pummelo. A SNP-based DNA marker in the coding region accurately predicted phenotypes. This study enhances our understanding of orange flavor compounds and their biosynthetic pathways and expands breeding options for orange-like cultivars.

Differences in the Volatile Profile of Apple Cider Fermented with Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Schizosaccharomyces japonicus

In this study, two strains of Schizosaccharomyces pombe (NCAIM Y01474T and SBPS) and two strains of Schizosaccharomyces japonicus (DBVPG 6274T, M23B) were investigated for their capacity to ferment apple juice and influence the volatile compounds of cider compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae EC1118. The ethanol tolerance and deacidification capacity of Schizosaccharomyces yeasts could make them potential substitutes for the commonly used S. cerevisiae starter cultures. Despite different time courses (10–30 d), all strains could complete the fermentation process, and Schizosaccharomyces strains reduced the concentration of malic acid in the apple juice. Results indicated that each yeast exerted a distinctive impact on the volatile profile of the apple cider, giving final products separated using a principal component analysis. The volatile composition of the cider exhibited significant differences in the concentration of alcohols, esters, and fatty acids. Particularly, the flocculant strain S. japonicus M23B increased the levels of ethyl acetate (315.44 ± 73.07 mg/L), isoamyl acetate (5.99 ± 0.13 mg/L), and isoamyl alcohol (24.77 ± 15.19 mg/L), while DBVPG 6274T incremented the levels of phenyl ethyl alcohol and methionol up to 6.19 ± 0.51 mg/L and 3.72 ± 0.71 mg/L, respectively. A large production of terpenes and ethyl esters (e.g., ethyl octanoate) was detected in the cider fermented by S. cerevisiae EC1118. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the possible application of S. japonicus in cider-making to provide products with distinctive aromatic notes”.

Maximizing the potential of commercial zinc stearate for one-pot esterification and transesterification for high-acidity biodiesel production

Meeting the growing demand for energy while combating the adverse effects of global warming remains challenging today, and biodiesel offers a potential solution to help mitigate the impact of global warming. In this scenario, our primary goal was to optimize biodiesel production from highly acidic soybean oil using a one-pot esterification and transesterification process, addressing the challenges associated with high-acidity substrates. To start, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) guaranteed us just one phase for each commercial catalyst, and we conducted catalytic experiments to select the most suitable Zn-based material for the process, choosing zinc stearate (ZnSt2) as the best candidate. Our study demonstrated that a nano-sized zinc oxide (ZnO) catalyst, which was anticipated to be the most suitable choice, did not exhibit optimal performance. Subsequently, a Full Factorial Design of Experiments (DOE) was employed to optimize reaction parameters, specifically, the reaction temperature and the oil-to-methanol (O:M) molar ratio. The results consistently showed that increased O:M ratio and temperature promoted enhanced fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) production and reduced acidity. Then, experiments were conducted to maximize FAME production and minimize free fatty acid (FFA) content. The results showed that increasing the catalyst concentration from 5 wt% to 10 wt% did not significantly impact FAME production or acidity reduction. Also, while increased methanol should theoretically enhance FAME production and reduce acidity, the results were inconsistent across all experiments. Excess methanol interfered with glycerol separation, leading to decreased FAME yield. Thus, this study underscores the complexity of biodiesel production and highlights the importance of selecting suitable catalysts and optimizing process parameters.

Preparation and characterization of ordered mesoporous carbon based catalyst derived from sodium lignosunfonate for conversion of linseed oil to biokerosene

The study focused on preparation and characterization of ordered mesoporous carbon based catalyst derived from sodium lignosunfonate (MSL catalyst), and its application in conversion of linseed oil to biokerosene was also briefly discussed. The preparation of the catalyst was established by condensation-evaporation method where sulfonated biochar obtained from soditum lignosulfonate, CTAB were used as precursor and template, respectively. Water solvent was gradually evaporated during the preparation yielding a gel-like mixture at the end of the process. The catalyst with ordered mesoporous structure, high acidity, and stable activity sites was applied in the conversion of linseed oil to biokerosene, and the results based on the high yield and purity of the methyl ester product illustrated the catalysts high activity and selectivity. Some techniques were applied such as SAXRD, WAXRD, FT-IR, BET-BJH, NH3-TPD and GC-MS for characterizing the catalyst and determining the composition of the linseed oil and the biokerosene.

Decreasing acid value of fatty acid ethyl ester products using complex enzymes.

Recently, enzymatic method has been used to prepare biodiesel using various oils. But the high acid value of the biodiesel product using enzyme as a catalyst has been one issue. In this work, an attempt to reduce the acid value of fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) product to satisfy the specified requirement (AV ≤ 0.5mgKOH/g), a complex enzyme-catalyzed method was used for the ethanolysis of Semen Abutili seed oil (SASO) (AV = 5.5 ± 0.3mgKOH/g). The effects of various variables (constituents of complex enzyme, type and addition of water removal agent, time, temperature, enzyme addition load, substrate ratio) on the enzymatic reaction were investigated. The optimal reaction conditions were: 1% addition of liquid lipase Eversa® Transform 2.0% and 0.8% of enzyme dry powder CALB, reaction temperature 35°C, alcohol-oil ratio 9:1 (mol/mol), 0.8g/g of 4A-MS and reaction time 24h. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the FAEE yield was 90.8% ± 1.5% and its acid value was decreased from 12.0 ± 0.2mgKOH/g to 0.39 ± 0.10mgKOH/g. In further evaluating the feasibility of preparing FAEE from SASO, the FAEE products obtained under the optimal reaction conditions were purified and evaluated with reference to the ASTM D6751 standard for the main physicochemical indexes. The results obtained were in accordance with the requirements except for the oxidative stability.

Enhanced Mixing Towards the Production of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters by In Situ Transesterification of Eucheuma Cottonii: Experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis

Biodiesel is one of the alternative replacements for the conventional fossil fuel-based diesel as the demand for energy is increasing with the increasing world population. The production of biodiesel (also known as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)) from macroalgae (E. cottonii) is the focus in this study. Conventionally, production of FAME from macroalgae will be carried out through the two-step transesterification processes, which consists of extraction of algal oil (lipids and free fatty acids) and subsequent transesterification step. However, the two-step transesterification method is time and energy consuming processes and thus ways to enhance the production yield of the biodiesel produced are being studied. This paper concentrates on utilization of enhanced mixing technique via in situ transesterification (ISTE) process in FAME production which elucidate the effects of reaction time and mixing intensity. The ISTE reaction was carried out at the ratio of biomass: Methanol (MeOH): Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) (w/v/v) of 1:20:5 and a reaction temperature of 60 °C. The total reaction time for the reaction was 90 minutes, where samples were collected at 30 minutes interval. The increase in reaction time and mixing intensity gave a significant positive impact on the production of FAME. At 90 minutes of reaction time and impeller rotational speed of 900rpm, the maximum amount of methyl palmitate and methyl stearate produced were 0.5729 wt% and 0.0559 wt% respectively. The results of contour of volume fraction (VF) of palmitic acid obtained from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis from the Aspen Fluent Software is in good agreement to the experimental results of the study.

Production of esters with numerous applications: Kinetics of Dowex 50W catalyzed transesterification of methyl acetate with three‐ and four‐carbon structured alcohols

AbstractIn this investigation, a strongly acidic exchange resin was used for the transesterification of methyl acetate with n‐propanol, n‐butanol, and iso‐butanol. Kinetic and equilibrium experiments for the three systems were conducted using a temperature‐controlled batch reactor setup. The effects of the following operating parameters on the transesterification were explored: reaction temperature, catalyst loading, and methyl acetate‐to‐alcohol molar ratio. The conversion of the limiting reactant in the reaction mixture increased with increasing reaction temperature, catalyst loading, and varying reactant proportions from 1:1 to other ratios. It was found that excess methyl acetate would result in higher limiting reactant conversion than using excess alcohol with the same initial molar proportionality between the excess and the limiting reactants. It was found that an increase in the chain length of the alcohol and/or branching suppressed the conversion of the reactants owing to steric hindrance. To mathematically correlate the data, several kinetic models were tested, and the Eley–Rideal model was selected. Accordingly, a reaction mechanism was proposed.

Fatty acid methyl ester production from rainbow trout waste oil using microwave-assisted transesterification

The desirable oil content of Rainbow Trout waste makes it a valuable resource for the industrial-scale production of biodiesel. Limited research has been conducted regarding the utilization of microwave-assisted transesterification (MAT) as a cost-effective method for biodiesel production from this accessible resource. In this study, MAT was optimized in terms of reaction time (1–5 min), microwave power level (100–500 W), methanol/oil molar ratio (3−15), and catalyst concentration (0.3–1.5%). The optimal condition was reaction time of 4 min, microwave power 300 W, molar ratio of 12, and catalyst concentration of 1.2%, ensuring utmost efficiency and purity. In addition, MAT was compared to ohmic-, ultrasonic probe-, ultrasonic bath-, and magnetic stirrer-assisted transesterification techniques, assessing physicochemical properties, energy consumption, and thermal properties of produced methyl esters. The microwave, ohmic, and ultrasonic probe showed superior efficiency, briefest reaction time, and minimal pouring and cloudy values, respectively. Additionally, these techniques consumed only 5.3, 5.7, and 6.7 Wh/g, respectively, signifying the lowest energy usage. Conversely, magnetic stirrer and ultrasonic bath showed less desirable performance. Overall, MAT can be suggested as a novel and effective technique for enhancing efficiency, reducing reaction time, and decreasing energy consumption in the production of marine waste oil methyl esters.

Zeolite-catalysed esterification of biomass-derived acids into high-value esters products: Towards sustainable chemistry

The increasing focus on sustainability has prompted researchers to investigate innovative catalytic methods for converting acids produced from biomass into value added ester compounds. The present study focuses on the efficient conversion of diverse biomass-derived acids into esters through the utilization of zeolite-based catalysts, capitalizing on their unique structural and acidic properties. The utilization of esters encompasses a wide range of applications, making them highly versatile as both platform chemicals and biofuels. Recent development and enhancement of catalytic systems based on zeolites are specifically reviewed for the efficient synthesis of ester compounds with significant commercial value from biomass derived acids.

Analysis of a novel high-speed homogenizer technique for methyl ester production using waste cooking oil: Multi-objective optimization and energy analysis

While fossil fuels continue to be the predominant energy source, the use of renewable energy is consistently growing. Biodiesel, with its various advantages over traditional fossil fuels, stands out as a promising alternative fuel that is produced from a sustainable and abundant waste cooking oil (WCO) via a transesterification reaction (due to the low acid value of WCO) with alcohol (MeOH) and homogeneous catalyst (KOH) in a high-speed homogenizer. Biodiesel is produced in the industry using conventional mechanical stirring techniques, which are time-consuming and less efficient. It has been recently reported that high-speed homogenizers have the scale-up potential as per industrial requirements and can significantly reduce the transesterification/esterification reaction time. In the present investigation, the Taguchi technique has been applied for the design of experiments and multi-response process optimization using a composite desirability approach. The optimized values observed for yield, yield efficiency, and pour point were 99.18 ± 0.2%, 5.4 × 10–3 g/J, and − 14.9 ± 0.5 °C, respectively, at alcohol to oil molar proportion of 7:1, KOH amount of 0.5 wt%, rotor speed of 14000 rpm and 10 min of process time. The physicochemical properties of produced biodiesel were found within EN 14214 and ASTM D6751 standards limits.

Ligand and Substrate Effects on Regio‐ and Stereoselective Ru(II)‐Catalyzed Hydroacyloxylations to Vinylic Esters

AbstractTwo Ru(II)‐catalytic systems were developed for anti‐Markovnikov regioselective hydroacyloxylations of terminal alkynes to vinylic esters. [Ru(NCCH3)6][(BF4)2] favors (E)‐vinylic ester products with arylacetylenes and select carboxylic acids, whereas a Ru scorpionate complex with two electron‐withdrawing ligands favors (Z)‐vinylic ester isomers.

Review on Performance and Preparation of Catalysts for Oxidative Esterification of Aldehydes or Alcohols to Esters

AbstractEster plays a crucial role as a intermediate. Acids or acid derivatives are synthesized through the oxidation of aldehydes or alcohols, followed by esterification reactions to obtain esters. However, the traditional process is intricate and demands high energy consumption. To address these concerns, the one‐step oxidative esterification of aldehydes and alcohols into esters has emerged as a simple, co‐friendly and efficient green synthesis method, opening new avenues for cost‐effective ester production. In this rapidly advancing and promising field, utilizing the latest research findings on innovative catalysts is highly desirable. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of recent advancements in the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts for the oxidative esterification of aldehydes or alcohols. The focus is on both noble and non‐precious metal catalysts, along with their respective reaction mechanisms. Furthermore, we present novel catalytic strategies for future applications, highlighting the advantages offered by single‐atom catalysts, hydrophobic catalysts, magnetic catalysts, and ionic liquid catalysts. Additionally, we shed light on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in this field.

Microalgal synthesis of the biodiesel employing simultaneous extraction and esterification via heterogeneous catalyst

Within the realm of biorefinery, the third generation of biodiesel production relies on extracting oil from Algae to create renewable fuels. Algae cultivation can occur under precise laboratory conditions, making them a sustainable substitute for Fatty Acid Methyl Ester or biodiesel production. Through analysis of the simultaneous extraction and (trans)esterification process of Algae Chlorella Minutissima utilizing sulfated carbonaceous catalysts, scientists have discovered an efficient technique for producing biodiesel. Various parameters, such as catalyst loading, oil-to-methanol ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time for FFA reduction and FAME yields, were studied and optimized. Results indicate that utilizing a 10 wt% catalyst loading and a 70:30 volumetric oil to methanol ratio can achieve 67.59 % FFA reduction and a biodiesel yield of 44 mL. This method of producing biodiesel can occur in a single-unit operation, leading to higher yields of renewable fuel at a reduced cost and energy consumption. Finally, the quality of the biodiesel produced met ASTM D6751 standards, confirming its suitability for use.

Impact of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast inoculation mode on wine composition

Inoculation modes are known to affect yeast behavior. Here, we characterized the impact of ADY and pre-culturing on the composition of the resulting wine, fermented by four commercial strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Classical oenological parameters were not affected by the yeast inoculation mode. Using an untargeted metabolomic approach, a significant distinction in wine composition was noted regardless of the strain between the two inoculation modes, each associated with a specific metabolomic signature. 218 and 895 biomarkers were annotated, respectively, for ADYs associated with the preservation of wine polyphenols, and for pre-cultures related to the modulation of yeast nitrogen metabolism. Volatilome analysis revealed that the ester family was that most impacted by the inoculation mode whatever the strain. Ester production was enhanced in ADY condition. For the first time, the complete reprogramming of the yeast metabolism was revealed as a function of yeast preparation, which significantly impacts its volatilome and exometabolome.

Assessment of alcoholic extraction of Jatropha curcas L. oil for potential reactive extraction towards fatty esters

This work dealt with the extraction of Jatropha oil using methanol and ethanol as solvents to evaluate a potential integration of extraction-transesterification to produce fatty esters. For comparison purposes, additional extractions were carried out with n-hexane as industrial benchmark solvent. The effects of type of solvent, particle size (0.44–3.57 mm), and seed-to-solvent ratio (1:4, 1:6, and 1:8 w/v) were evaluated with respect to oil yield, efficiency, saponification index (SI, mgKOH/g) and acid value (AV, mgKOH/g). As expected, highest oil yield (50.4% wt.) was obtained using n-hexane, but with a low selectivity to saponifiable materials (SI ∼ 166). When using alcohols, oil yield (8–31% wt.) and efficiency (17–70%) were lower and the quality of the oil was poor (SI 32–176; AV 4–5). Results indicated that, differently from previously claimed, integrated alcoholic extraction with alkaline transesterification would not be suitable for fatty esters production. By using experimental data and the Hildebrandt solubility parameters, it was possible to fit a continuous model suitable for further optimization and solvent selection in Jatropha oil extraction. The model was validated by predicting expected SI and oil yield using an untested solvent (i.e. petroleum ether), and difference between model predictions and experimental observations were less than 3%.