Evaluation of Momordica balsamina Seed Oil for Its Potential as Feedstock for Biodiesel Production

This paper sought to evaluate the potential of oil obtained from balsam apple (Momordica balsamina) for biodiesel production. Oil was extracted from the seed using n-hexane in a soxhlet extractor, then transesterified to biodiesel using single step alkali hydrolysis. The biodiesel so produced was analyzed for their physicochemical and fuel properties using American Standards for Testing and Materials procedures. GC-MS was used to quantify the Fatty acid methyl esters yield. Percentage oil yield was 33.21 ± 0.18%. The physicochemical properties of the oil showed high acid values (M. balsamina 9.958 ± 0.5 mg/KOH/g). The percentage oil degumming was 10.12 ± 0.6%. Some critical fuel parameters for the biodiesel produced from the oil showed compliance with American Standards for Testing and Materials and European standard specifications. The result of biodiesel produced showed; Colour 2.9 ± 0.0, cetane number 57.699 ± 0.23, flash point 137 ± 0.00°C, cloud point 1.0 ± 0.00°C, pour point -0.4 ± 0.0°C, sulphur content 0.021 ± 0.01 ppm, kinematic viscosity 3.82 ± 0.0 mm2/s and specific gravity 0.8615 ± 0.0 g/cm3. The percentage yield of biodiesel was 89.12 ± 0.04%. Stearic acid methyl ester, a saturated ester, was dominant with percentage of 14.03% in the biodiesel produced. The yield of the oil is high enough and comparable with other oils that have been used for biodiesel production. It can be inferred that oil from Momordica balsamina is suitable for biodiesel production.