Study of biodiesel production from weed species found in crops from Aguascalientes, Mexico

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze, at a laboratory level, the biodiesel production yield by transesterification of the vegetable oil extracted from weed species growing in local crop areas in Aguascalientes, México. Methodological Design: The study evaluated the biodiesel production yield by transesterification of the vegetable oil from the weed species Bidens ferulifolia (Jacq.) DC., Tithonia tubaeformis (Jacq.) Cass., and Bidens sambucifolia (Cav.). Their vegetable oil is extracted through an L9(34) design using alcohols and alkanes as solvents. Transesterification is conducted under an L4(23) design, employing NAOH and methanol as a catalyst and excess alcohol, respectively. Raman Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the biodiesel samples obtained. Results: In the FTIR and Raman spectra of the obtained biodiesel, peaks were observed at wavenumbers 1740 cm-1 and 1450 cm-1, respectively, corresponding to the C=O group of the conventional ester present in the fatty acid methyl esters of the biodiesel. This confirms that biodiesel was successfully produced from the studied weed species with production yields ranging between 10.3 and 15.3%. Research limitations: This is one of the first studies to provide information on the biodiesel production capacity of the selected weed species. Findings: Biodiesel was successfully produced through transesterifying vegetable oil extracted from the selected weed species. Further research is warranted to enhance biodiesel yields.