Synthesis and characterization of fatty acid methyl ester mixtures derived from acorn kernel oil

Darean A. Bague, Russell J. Franks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study explores the production of biodiesel fuels using acorn kernel oil (AKO) as an alternative source of triacylglycerol (TAG). The AKO, derived from acorns of various oak tree species, was subjected to transesterification processes with methanol and ethanol in the presence of suitable catalysts (acid and base). The study also investigated the impact of a room temperature ionic liquid on the base-catalyzed transesterification process. Characterization of the resulting product mixtures was done using 1H-NMR spectroscopy, confirming the presence of transesterified products and providing percentage conversion data. The results showed high conversion rates, ranging from 96% to 98% for acorn kernel oil methyl esters (AKOME) and 96% to 97% for acorn kernel oil ethyl esters (AKOEE).
Original languageEnglish
Article number8
JournalTexas Journal of Science
Volume71
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Keywords

  • Biodiesel
  • Biodiesel feedstocks
  • Fatty-acid ethyl esters (FAEE)
  • Fatty-acid methyl esters (FAME)
  • Fourier-transform nuclear magnetic resonance (FT-NMR)
  • Single-step transesterification

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