Assessment of properties of Biodiesels produced from Degummed and Undegummed oil fractions of Luffa cylindrica (Linn.) seeds

Abstract

Biodiesel is one of the renewable energy sources that has emerged as an alternative means to conventional diesel. Therefore, search for non-edible oil for biodiesel production is required for sustainable biodiesel production. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties of biodiesels produced from degummed and undegummed oil extracted from dried seeds of Luffa cylindrica using Soxhlet extraction protocol. The extracted oil was divided into two portions; one portion was subjected to ionic degumming using 300 μg/mL of NaCl, while the other portion was left un-degummed. The two portions were, in turn, subjected to transesterification using high purity methanol. Results of the physicochemical properties of the resultant biodiesels indicated that degummed oil produced a better biodiesel yield (79 to 95%), with a change in flash points from 160 ℃ to 150 ℃, decreased pour points from 3.9℃ to 2.1 ℃, and increased Cetane number from 43.97 to 68.76. Also, reductions in iodine value from 35.00 mgI₂/100 g to 15.00 mgI₂/100 g, peroxide value from 10 meq/kg to 6 meq/kg, free fatty acid from 1.15 to 0.88 and acid value from 0.92±0.12 to 0.32±0.04. The study concluded that degummed oil from Luffa cylindrica could serve as an excellent feedstock for biodiesel production.