Biodiesel production from Vitex doniana (black plum) seed oil via a two-step catalyzed transesterification

Increasing global energy demands have led to increased search for alternative sources of fuel. Due to its similarities with petroleum-based diesel, biodiesel arose as a potential replacement for diesel. In this study, biodiesel was produced from the seed oil of Vitex doniana (black plum) using a two-step catalyzed transesterification method. The biodiesel produced was also characterized. Physico-chemical analyses carried out on the produced biodiesel gave strong indication that it can serve as an alternative feedstock, having recorded a comparable flash point of 110 °C to American Society of Testing Materials and European Committee for Standardization standards; though kinematic viscosity measurements showed biodiesel products of relatively high viscosity which has the tendency to leave deposits on combustion. Spectroscopic analyses indicated successful transesterification with 95-98% biodiesel yield. Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(1), 75-82. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i1.7