Biochemical Characterization of Seed Oil in Sesame and Watermelon for Production of Biodiesel

Abstract

Biochemical characters of seed oil from sesame (Sesanum indicum) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seed was carried out using standard physicochemical procedures. Ripe seeds of the two species were dehulled mechanically before extraction. Oil was extracted from the two seeds using n-hexane in a soxhlet extractor, then trans-esterified to biodiesel using single step alkali hydrolysis. The biodiesel so produced was analysed for physicochemical and fuel properties using ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) procedures. The oil extraction was carried out using solvent extraction method. The basic test for suitability of the oil obtained was carried out using transesterification processes. Sesame and watermelon seeds oil was heated to 600C, solution of methoxide (NaOCH3) were also added and stirred continuously for an hour. It was left to settle for 24 hours. The biodiesel was obtained using the separating funnel, separating biodiesel from glycerine. The washed biodiesel was collected into a beaker and gently heated in an oven at 1050C to evaporate the excess water and methanol in the diesel. The result of the test classified the biodiesel within the
limits set for biodiesel properties by ISO14214 specification on biodiesel.