Study of biodiesel production from Garcinia Mangostana Linn

Abstract

The study introduced the potential used of Garcinia Mangostana Linn. seeds as feedstock for bio-diesel production. The preparation of biodiesel by two-phase solvent extraction (TSE) and two-step transesterification was studied. Acid catalyzed esterification reduces the free fatty acid (FFA) content of oil at first step whereas second step which is alkaline catalyzed transesterification had converted the product of first step into its monoester and glycerol. The important factors including catalyst concentration, ratio of methanol to oil and temperature on conversion fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) were examine by experiments. The results of two-step transesterification showed that the optimal conversion of Garcinia Mangostana Linn. seeds into fatty acid compositions on fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) with condition of 4:1 methanol-to-oil ratio, 50oC reaction temperature, 0.5% w/w catalyst concentration and 5 minutes reaction time. Gas chromatography (GC) was used to determine the fatty acid composition of biodiesel. Garcinia Mangostana Linn. seeds as feedstock can reduce the cost of production of biodiesel and the problem related to the disposal of seeds.