| Summary: | MSc (Engineering Sciences in Chemical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus As the search for alternative sources of energy to supplement traditional fossil-derived energy has intensified across the globe, biodiesel derived from biolipids has emerged as a promising alternative to diesel fuel. This study investigated the feasibility of biodiesel production from Adansonia digitata L. (baobab), Calodendrum capense (L.f.) Thunb, and Moringa oleifera Lam. plant seed oils of African origin. Biodiesel was synthesized from the three plant seed oils via transesterification process catalyzed by biocatalysts known as lipases. Candida antarctica lipase-B, Porcine pancreas, Candida sp., Candida rugosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens lipases were screened to identify the ideal biocatalyst for methanolysis of baobab seed oil. The effects of varying reaction conditions including oil to methanol molar ratio, temperature, and time on transesterification of baobab seed oil were also assessed to establish optimum operating conditions. Once the optimal operating conditions for transesterification of baobab seed oil had been determined, the same operating conditions were employed in methanolysis of calodendrum capense and moringa oils. Results for lipase screening showed that the highest conversion of baobab seed oil to biodiesel can be achieved when Candida antarctica lipase-B is employed as catalyst. Methanolysis of baobab seed oil catalysed by C. rugosa, P. pancreas, P. fluorescence, Candida sp. and C. antarctica lipase-B lipases respectively yielded 0.28±0.73, 0.43±0.73, 0.84±0.73, 0.98±0.73% and 87.3±0.73% conversions at operating conditions of 10 wt% catalyst loading (based on mass of baobab oil), 1:3 oil to methanol molar ratio, 40°C, and 6 hours reaction time. Studies on the effects of oil to methanol molar ratio, temperature, and reaction time on methanolysis of baobab seed oil catalysed by 10 wt% Candida antarctica lipase-B revealed that the optimum operating conditions for this reaction system are 1:3 oil to methanol molar ratio, 50°C, and 6 hours reaction time. Under these conditions, 91.8±2.6% of baobab seed oil was converted to biodiesel. Methanolysis of moringa and calodendrum capense seed oils at the same operating conditions yielded 80.4±2.6% and 89.6±2.6% biodiesel yields respectively. Hence, biodiesel production from baobab, moringa, and calodendrum capense plant seed oils via biocatalytic transesterification is highly feasible. Masters
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