Production and characterization of biodiesel obtained from transesterification of lipid from goat tallow

Aim: The present study was conducted to optimise the production of biodiesel from goat tallow by chemical and biological transesterification and to analyse the fuel characteristics of biodiesel. Methodology: Lipid from goat tallow was extracted after subjecting the tallow to ultrasonication and microwave heating. The lipid obtained was converted to biodiesel by chemical and biological transesterification processes. Results: Microwave heating of goat tallow with hexane produced 550 ml of oil whereas ultrasonication method produced 350 ml and 430 ml with Hexane and Hexane : Isopropanol (3:2) as solvent mixture, respectively. When one litre of this oil was subjected to transesterification reaction, 750 ml and 640 ml of biodiesel was produced by chemical and biological methods under optimized conditions (temperature 60oC for chemical and 35oC for biological transesterification). GC-MS analysis of transesterified oil indicated linolenic acid, pentadecanoic acid and stearic acid as major lipid components in goat tallow. Fuel properties were tested as per ASTM standards. Interpretation: The biological process (either with the enzyme or with organism), if properly designed can definitely be an advantageous as this process is cost effective and environmental friendly. Goat tallow can be a potential candidate for the production of biodiesel, an alternate to fossil fuel, which is the need of the hour.