Lipase-catalysed production of biodiesel fuel from some Nigerian lauric oils

Biochem Soc Trans. 2000 Dec;28(6):979-81.

Abstract

Fatty acids esters were produced from two Nigerian lauric oils, palm kernel oil and coconut oil, by transesterification of the oils with different alcohols using PS30 lipase as a catalyst. In the conversion of palm kernel oil to alkyl esters (biodiesel), ethanol gave the highest conversion of 72%, t-butanol 62%, 1-butanol 42%, n-propanol 42% and iso-propanol 24%, while only 15% methyl ester was observed with methanol. With coconut oil, 1-butanol and iso-butanol achieved 40% conversion, 1-propanol 16% and ethanol 35%, while only traces of methyl esters were observed using methanol. Studies on some fuel properties of palm kernel oil and its biodiesel showed that palm kernel oil had a viscosity of 32.40 mm2/s, a cloud point of 28 degrees C and a pour point of 22 degrees C, while its biodiesel fuel had a viscosity of 9.33 mm2/s, a cloud point of 12 degrees C and a pour point of 8 degrees C. Coconut oil had a viscosity of 28.58 mm(2)/s, a cloud point of 27 degrees C and a pour point of 20 degrees C, while its biodiesel fuel had a viscosity of 7.34 mm2/s, a cloud point of 5 degrees C and a pour point of -8 degrees C. Some of the fuel properties compared favourably with international biodiesel specifications.

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols* / metabolism
  • Catalysis
  • Coconut Oil
  • Esters
  • Gasoline*
  • Lauric Acids* / metabolism
  • Lipase* / metabolism
  • Nigeria
  • Palm Oil
  • Plant Oils
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Esters
  • Gasoline
  • Lauric Acids
  • Plant Oils
  • lauric acid
  • Palm Oil
  • Lipase
  • Coconut Oil