Acacia species.: a probable feedstock for biodiesel production

Due to competition in plantation and disturbance in ecosystem services, it is necessary to screen oil containing seed species which have capacity to grow in undomesticated and non-fertile lands. Therefore, in present studies, four acacia species (Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia leucopholea, Acacia mangium and Acacia Cyclops) which have ability to grow in different types of ecosystems and wide range of soils were selected. Oil content measured from the seeds of these four species suggested that Acacia mangium, Acacia cyclops and Acacia auriculiformis are high triglycerides containing seeds than that of Acacia leucophloea. Hence, biodiesel production was standardized from these three acacia species using transesterification process. GC-MS analysis of biodiesel samples suggested presence of essential fatty acid methyl esters which contributes in biodiesel formation. Results obtained from analysis of physicochemical parameters using ASTM standard methods suggested that biodiesel samples produced using acacia auriculiformis, acacia mangium and acacia cyclops had iodine value within the range of standard biodiesel. Even the other parameters such as kinematic viscosity, density, sulphated ash deposition, carbon residue deposition remained low in all the three samples. Hence, these oils are suitable source for biodiesel production.