Optimisation and characterisation studies of biodiesel production from black soldier fly larvae fed by soya residue

Abstract

In this study, a two-step transesterification process was applied to convert crude BSF larval oil into biodiesel. The effects of methanol:oil (molar ratio), catalyst amount (weight %), reaction time (minutes) and temperature (°C) on biodiesel production were investigated. Central Composite Design (CCD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimise experimental data obtained from these four variables. The prediction of biodiesel yield was made by employing a quadratic model, whereby the R2 values were greater than 0.99. Based on optimisation studies, a combination of an application of petroleum ether and reaction time of 6 hours was the best to extract crude larval oil with 47% of lipid yield. Meanwhile, methanol:oil molar ratio of 12:1, catalyst (NaOH) concentration of 1.0 weight %, a reaction time of 32 minutes and temperature of 60°C were required to obtain biodiesel with 96% of production yield from BSF crude larval oil. Both BSF crude larval oil and biodiesel were characterised using several analytical instruments such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionisation Detector (GC-FID). Overall, findings from this study highlight the potential to produce eco-friendly biodiesel from BSF larvae reared on soya residue.