Wild Brazilian Mustard (<i>Brassica juncea</i> L.) Seed Oil Methyl Esters as Biodiesel Fuel

Abstract

Abstract Wild mustard ( Brassica juncea L.) oil is evaluated as a feedstock for biodiesel production. Biodiesel was obtained in 94 wt.% yield by a standard transesterification procedure with methanol and sodium methoxide catalyst. Wild mustard oil had a high content of erucic (13( Z )‐docosenoic; 45.7 wt.%) acid, with linoleic (9( Z ),12( Z )‐octadecadienoic; 14.2 wt.%) and linolenic (9( Z ),12( Z ),15( Z )‐octadecatrienoic; 13.0 wt.%) acids comprising most of the remaining fatty acid profile. The cetane number, kinematic viscosity, and oxidative stability (Rancimat method) of the methyl esters was 61.1, 5.33 mm 2 s −1 (40 °C) and 4.8 h (110 °C), respectively. The cloud, pour and cold filter plugging points were 4, −21 and −3 °C, respectively. Other properties such as acid value, lubricity, free and total glycerol content, iodine value, Gardner color, specific gravity, as well as sulfur and phosphorous contents were also determined and are discussed in light of biodiesel standards ASTM D6751 and EN 14214. Also reported are the properties and composition of wild mustard oil, along with identification of wild mustard collected in Brazil as Brassica juncea L. (2n = 36) as opposed to the currently accepted Sinapis arvensis L. (2n = 18) classification. In summary, wild mustard oil appears to be an acceptable feedstock for biodiesel production.