Cnicus benedictus Oil as a Raw Material for Biodiesel: Extraction Optimization and Biodiesel Yield

Petronela Lina Matei, Cristina Busuioc, Niculina Ionescu, Anicuta Stoica-Guzun and Nicoleta-Aurelia Chira
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Petronela Lina Matei: Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Cristina Busuioc: Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Niculina Ionescu: Laboratory of Plant Multiplication, Plant Breeding and Seed Multiplication Department, National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI), 915200 Fundulea, Romania
Anicuta Stoica-Guzun: Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Nicoleta-Aurelia Chira: Laboratory of Plant Multiplication, Plant Breeding and Seed Multiplication Department, National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI), 915200 Fundulea, Romania

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-16

Abstract: Cnicus benedictus fruits were used as raw material to extract oil, and the resulting oil was converted into biodiesel. Two extraction methods were tested: batch extraction, and ultrasound assisted extraction. Response surface methodology was considered for the optimization of the process efficiency. The selected key independent variables were temperature, extraction time, and solid/liquid ratio for batch extraction and ultrasound intensity, temperature, and extraction time for the ultrasound assisted extraction, respectively. The optimal working conditions are different for the two extraction techniques, with respect to temperature, solid/liquid ratio, and extraction time, respectively, leading to higher extraction efficiency in the case of the ultrasound-assisted extraction. Cnicus benedictus oil obtained under the optimal extraction conditions was further esterified with methanol under acid catalysis to yield biodiesel. The biodiesel was characterized through 1 H-NMR and the main fuel properties were determined.

Keywords: Cnicus benedictus oil; blessed thistle; ultrasound assisted extraction; response surface methodology; Box–Behnken design; biodiesel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:23:p:13193-:d:690356

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