Physical-Chemical Characterization of the Oil Extracted from Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica) Seeds and Its Potential Application as Lipid-base Raw Material to Produce Biodiesel

Abstract

The escalating prices of petroleum fuels, the uncertainties in their supply and the wreckage of global climate caused by their continual use have rekindled research interests in the use of plant oil for fuels and other biofuels. Sponge gourd seeds were investigated for its biodiesel properties with the aim of determining the desirability of incorporating the oil into bio-fuel. The seeds were sourced for, processed and extracted while the bio-fuel oil obtained were analyzed. 31.0 Percentage (%) of oil yield was obtained from Luffa cylindrica seeds according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) Standards which were used to determine other Biofuel properties of luffa cylindrica seed.  The laboratory analysis revealed that the oil obtained has higher viscosity at 40°C (15.55 mm2/s) which can perfectly meet up with an established standard of biodiesel on reduction after transesterification. The analysis obtained had a flash point of (150°C), Cetane number of (71.90), Refractive index of (1.645 nm), Acid value of (34.10 mg KOH/g) and Iodine value of (86.20 mgI2/g) obtained compared with most standard biodiesel which is in agreement with the specified ASTM biodiesel standard.