Protection of Biodiesel Based on Sunflower Oil from Oxidative Degradation by Natural Antioxidants

Abstract

Biodiesel as an alternative diesel fuel obtained by transesterification of vegetable fats and oils, using alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, has some advantages such as reduced emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, sulfates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and particular matter, but its drawback, of being more prone to oxidation than petroleum-based diesel fuel, can cause the fuel to become acidic (cause fuel system corrosion) and to form insoluble gums and sediments and consequently increase its viscosity. In this study, in order to increase the stability of biodiesel based on high oleic acid sunflower oil against oxidation process during the storage and distribution, different percents [0.01%, 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% (w/v)] of maize flour contaminated by mycotoxins, thus useless for human consumption, were added as natural antioxidants. The antioxidant effect increased with concentration up to an optimal level. Above the optimal level, the increase in antioxidant effect with its concentration was relatively small. Oxidative stability of biodiesel was determined using two parallel methods, the Schaal oven storage test (at 70°C) and the Rancimat method (at 110°C). The induction times obtained by the Rancimat method were more similar to the values determined by the oven test. The highest protective effect was observed in samples containing 0.1% (w/v) of added antioxidants. Key words: biodiesel, maize flo. © 2006, by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston. All rights reserved.