Abstract

TRANSESTERIFICATION OF PONGAMIA AND JATROPHA OIL USING WHOLE CELLS OF RHIZOPUS STRAIN JK 1

Jayshree B. Kantak and Asmita A. Prabhune*

ABSTRACT

Transesterification of Pongamia and Jatropha oil was carried out using a novel isolate Rhizopus strain JK 1 as extracellular lipase producing whole cell biocatalyst. Ethanol gave maximum conversions when compared with the methanol as acyl acceptor. Ethanol gave up to 95% ethyl ester production from Pongamia oil after 36h of transesterification reaction. Different parameters like temperature, time and oil to alcohol ratio were standardized for optimum conversion. Maximum conversion of oil into ethyl ester was found at 30⁰C. Ethyl ester production increased with time and maximum production (95% from Pongamia oil and 88% from Jatropha oil) was achieved after completion of 36h of reaction at 30⁰C. Oil to ethanol concentration also affected the conversion rate in both the oils. Oil to ethanol concentration which gave best conversion was 1:4.

Keywords: Whole cells, Transesterification, Biodiesel, Rhizopus, Jatropha.