Immobilized Candida antarctica Lipase Catalyzed Transesterification of Croton megalocarpus Seed Oil for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

Methanolic transesterification of Croton megalocarpus seed oil to produce biodiesel was investigated using Immobilized Candida antarctica lipase as a catalyst. The reactions were optimized by varying the temperature, amount of methanol and the weight of lipase. The transesterification process yielded 98.71 % biodiesel conversion at optimal conditions of 30 % enzyme (m/m), 50 ⁰C reaction temperature and oil to alcohol molar ratio of 1:4. Biodiesel from this process had a remarkably high acid value. All the other fuel properties measured were within the range stipulated in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and International Standards Organization (ISO) standards.

Keywords: Biodiesel, Croton megalocarpus, Transesterification, lipase