Influence of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters on Fuel properties of Biodiesel Produced from the Seeds Oil of <i>Curcubita pepo</i>

Abstract

Oil extracted from the seeds of Curcubita pepo was transesterified using potassium hydroxide in methanol. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profile of the produced diesel was analyzed using Gas chromatograph coupled with mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The results indicate the presence of methyl (12E)-octadecenotate as the dominant ester with approximate percentage by composition of 82.90%. Other esters detected were methyl tetradecanoate (0.4%), methyl eicosonoate (2.48%), methyl docosanoate (0.97%) methyl teracosanoate (0.47%). Some critical fuel parameters like oxidation stability, cetane number, iodine value and viscosity were correlated with the methyl ester composition and structural
configuration. It was found that the cetane number and oxidation stability of the produced biodiesel is a function of the degree of unsaturation and long chain saturated factor. The profile of methyl esters in the biodiesel produced indicates its likelihood to be a viable fuel source for internal combustion engines.