Methyl Esters (Biodiesel) from and Fatty Acid Profile of Gliricidia sepium Seed Oil

Increasing the supply of biodiesel by defining and developing additional feedstocks is important to overcome the still limited amounts available of this alternative fuel. In this connection, the methyl esters of the seed oil of Gliricidia sepium were synthesized and the significant fuel‐related properties were determined. The fatty acid profile was also determined with saturated fatty acids comprising slightly more than 35 %, 16.5 % palmitic, 14.5 % stearic, as well as lesser amounts of even longer‐chain fatty acids. Linoleic acid is the most prominent acid at about 49 %. Corresponding to the high content of saturated fatty acid methyl esters, cold flow is the most problematic property as shown by a high cloud point of slightly >20 °C. Otherwise, the properties of G. sepium methyl esters are acceptable for biodiesel use when comparing them to specifications in biodiesel standards but the problematic cold flow properties would need to be observed. The ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra of G. sepium methyl esters are reported.     

Oxidation of FA with alkene of alkyne functionalities studied with chemiluminescence and real-time IR spectroscopy

The oxidation of well-defined FA derivatives has been studied with real-time IR (RTIR) and chemiluminescence (CL) techniques. Both methyl esters and model oils based on different FA have been studied to reveal the effect of functionality. The FA used were linoleic and crepenynic acid, the latter with an alkyne functionality. The purpose was to reveal how structural differences affect the oxidation and how this is monitored with CL and RTIR. Both model oils had longer oxidation induction times than the corresponding methyl esters, as seen by both IR and CL. Generally, the induction times measured with IR were shorter than those determined by CL, but the rate of oxidation did not seem to differ much between the model oils and the corresponding methyl esters. The results also imply that the higher functionality of the model oils gives a greater possibility of intramolecular addition reactions instead of chain scission during oxidation, making the model oils emit fewer low-M.W. volatiles than the methyl esters. There is also a difference between methyl crepenynate and methyl linoleate, in that the alkyne functionality seems to enhance the possibility of chain scission instead of addition reactions. The results presented imply that the CL signal can be used to monitor the oxidation and the formation of volatile compounds from a FA structure. By combining the CL measurements with RTIR data, information about the oxidation reactions can be obtained, giving a greater understanding of what reactions are occurring during oxidation and how they are related to each other.     

Analysis of hydroxylated fatty acids from plant oils

A novel process has been described recently for the preparation of hydroxylated fatty acids (HOFA) and HOFA methyl esters from plant oils. HOFA methyl esters prepared from conventional and alternative plant oils were characterized by various chromatographic methods (thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as well as¹H and¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. HOFA methyl esters obtained fromEuphorbia lathyris seed oil, low-erucic acid rapeseed oil, and sunflower oil contain as major constituents methylthreo-9,10-dihydroxy octadecanoate (derived from oleic acid) and methyl dihydroxy tetrahydrofuran octadecanoates, e.g., methyl 9,12-dihydroxy-10,13-epoxy octadecanoates and methyl 10,13-dihydroxy-9,12-epoxy octadecanoates (derived from linoleic acid). Other constituents detected in the products include methyl esters of saturated fatty acids (not epoxidized/derivatized) and traces of methyl esters of epoxy fatty acids (not hydrolyzed). The products that contain high levels of monomeric HOFA may find wide application in a variety of technical products.     

The seed oil ofBernardia pulchella (Euphorbiaceae) —A rich source of vernolic acid

The fatty acids from the seed oil ofBernardia pulchella (Euphorbiaceae) have been analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of their methyl esters. Vernolic acid is the main compound (91%), along with other usual fatty acids. In addition to the quantitation by GC analysis,¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals from the seed oil have been used to estimate the total epoxy fatty acid content. The structure of vernolic acid has been proven by spectroscopic methods (infrared,¹H, and¹³C-NMR) and by GC-MS analysis of the corresponding silylated hydroxy-methoxy derivative. The 4,4-dimethyloxazoline derivatives of the fatty acid mixture have also been examined by GC-MS, and it was shown that this derivazation reaction is not suitable for the structure analysis of vernolic acid.     

Analysis of oxidized biodiesel by 1H‐NMR and effect of contact area with air

Biodiesel is continuously gaining attention and significance as an alternative diesel fuel. An important issue facing biodiesel is fuel stability upon exposure to air due to its content of unsaturated fatty acids. Numerous factors influence the oxidative stability of biodiesel, and several methods for its assessment have been developed. In the present work, a defined amount of biodiesel (methyl soyate) was heated in open beakers, with the only difference being the size of the beaker, i.e. the surface area of the biodiesel exposed to air. Biodiesel oxidized in this fashion was analyzed by ¹H‐NMR, kinematic viscosity and acid value. Acid values and kinematic viscosity increased with time and surface area. A previously developed ¹H‐NMR procedure was used to evaluate the unsaturation and “residual” fatty acid composition. The amounts of saturated fatty acids determined by this method increased, with monounsaturated and diunsaturated species increasing and then decreasing with time. After “flash” (3 h, 165 °C) oxidation, NMR shows the greatest effect on saturates and compounds with two double bonds, the former increasing and the latter decreasing. The double bond originally located at δ15 in 18:3 is largely retained, showing that other double bond positions in 18:3 are initially affected by oxidation. The methyl ester signal decreases, coinciding with the increase in acid value. An increasingly strong absorption was observed in the UV‐VIS spectra. Increasing surface area accelerated oxidation and affected fatty acid composition.     

Biodiesel synthesis via homogeneous Lewis acid-catalyzed transesterification

Lewis acids (AlCl₃ or ZnCl₂) were used to catalyze the transesterification of canola oil with methanol in the presence of terahydrofuran (THF) as co-solvent. The conversion of canola oil into fatty acid methyl esters was monitored by ¹H NMR. NMR analysis demonstrated that AlCl₃ catalyzes both the esterification of long chain fatty acid and the transesterification of vegetable oil with methanol suggesting that the catalyst is suitable for the preparation of biodiesel from vegetable oil containing high amounts of free fatty acids. Optimization by statistical analysis showed that the conversion of triglycerides into fatty acid methyl esters using AlCl₃ as catalyst was affected by reaction time, methanol to oil molar ratio, temperature and the presence of THF as co-solvent. The optimum conditions with AlCl₃ that achieved 98% conversion were 24:1 molar ratio at 110 °C and 18 h reaction time with THF as co-solvent. The presence of THF minimized the mass transfer problem normally encountered in heterogeneous systems. ZnCl₂ was far less effective as a catalyst compared to AlCl₃, which was attributed to its lesser acidity. Nevertheless, statistical analysis showed that the conversion with the use of ZnCl₂ differs only with reaction time but not with molar ratio.     

Bleaching of vegetable oils. II. Conversions of methyl oleate and linoleate

Methyl oleate and linoleate were treated with 10% acid activated clay at 90–100 C for 1–50 hr with and without admission of air. Positional and geometric isomers of fatty acid esters were found. Polar compounds were detected having one or more functional groups with respect to the starting esters. Preparative thin layer chromatography and gas liquid chromatography were used in isolating the compounds, while IR, NMR, mass spectroscopy, and gas liquid chromatography analysis were employed for identification. The unsaturation of the isolated isomers was present at carbon atoms 5–11. The polar compounds were, among others, 9- and 10-keto octadecanoic methyl esters, isomeric keto octadecenoic methyl esters, isomeric epoxy octadecanoic methyl esters, 9- and 10-hydroxy octadecanoic methyl esters, and some mono methyl ester dicarbonic acids. It may be concluded that geometric, as well as positional, isomerization occurs and that small amounts of compounds with one or more functional groups are formed when unsaturated fatty acids were treated with acid-activated clay.     

Chemoenzymatic epoxidation of unsaturated fatty acid esters and plant oils

In the presence of an immobilized lipase fromCandida antacrtica (Novozym 435^R) fatty acids are converted to peroxy acids by the reaction with hydrogen peroxide. In a similar reaction, fatty acid esters are perhydrolyzed to peroxy acids. Unsaturated fatty acid esters subsequently epoxidize themselves, and in this way epoxidized plant oils can be prepared with good yields (rapeseed oil 91%, sunflower oil 88%, linseed oil 80%). The hydrolysis of the plant oil to mono- and diglycerides can be suppressed by the addition of a small amount of free fatty acids. Rapeseed oil methyl ester can also be epoxidized; the conversion of C=C-bonds is 95%, and the composition of the epoxy fatty acid methyl esters corresponds to the composition of the unsaturated methyl esters in the substrate. Based partly on a lecture at the 86th AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo, San Antonio, Texas, May 7–11, 1995.     

Elaidic acid in rat liver identified by gas chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Fatty acid composition has been commonly determined by gas chromatography (GC). In the most commonly used methods, the lipids must be converted into methyl esters or other derivatives of the fatty acids before being analyzed by GC. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has become one of the most promising methods to determine organic structures, providing useful data for analyzing the fatty acid composition of edible vegetable oils. The major advantage of NMR is that identification of each fatty acid is carried out by evaluation of particular signals. We report in this work the fatty acid profile of rat liver after consumption of diets containing different concentrations of partially hydrogenated vegetable fat. The fatty acid composition was identified by GC, and trans fatty acids were also identified by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The results obtained by the ¹³C NMR method were close enough to those obtained by conventional GC.     

Determination of the fatty acid profile by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy

The common unsaturated fatty acids present in many vegetable oils (oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids) can be quantitated by ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H‐NMR). A key feature is that the signals of the terminal methyl group of linolenic acid are shifted downfield from the corresponding signals in the other fatty acids, permitting their separate integration and quantitation of linolenic acid. Then, using the integration values of the signals of the allylic and bis‐allylic protons, oleic and linoleic acids can be quantitated. The procedure was verified for mixtures of triacylglycerols (vegetable oils) and methyl esters of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids as well as palmitic and stearic acids. Generally, the NMR (400 MHz) results were in good agreement with gas chromatographic (GC) analyses. As the present ¹H‐NMR‐based procedure can be applied to neat vegetable oils, the preparation of derivatives for GC would be unnecessary. The present method is extended to quantitating saturated (palmitic and stearic) acids, although in this case the results deviate more strongly from actual values and GC analyses. Alternatives to the iodine value (allylic position equivalents and bis‐allylic position equivalents) can be derived directly from the integration values of the allylic and bis‐allylic protons.     

1H-NMR Characterization of Epoxides Derived from Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

In recent years, ¹H NMR has been used to study epoxides in lipid oxidation and industrial processes, but the peak assignments reported for monoepoxides and diepoxides have been inconsistent. Lack of clear assignments for chemical shifts of epoxides derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has also limited the use of ¹H NMR in detecting and quantifying these products during both oxidative degradation and industrial epoxidation. In this study, ¹H NMR was used to characterize the epoxides synthesized from trilinolein, trilinolenin, canola oil, and fish oils by reaction with formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Assignments for epoxides derived from PUFA in canola oil and fish oil were between 2.90–3.23 ppm and 2.90–3.28 ppm, distinct from other chemical groups in these oils. Chemical shifts of epoxy groups moved downfield with an increasing number of epoxy groups in the fatty acid chain. Hence, peaks for diepoxides appeared at 3.00, 3.09, and 3.14 ppm and for triepoxides at 3.00, 3.16, and 3.21 ppm. Results also suggested that stereoisomers of diepoxides and triepoxides were formed during the epoxidation process under the conditions of this study. These new assignments for di‐ and tri‐epoxide stereoisomers were supported by GC–MS analysis of their methyl esters, H–H COSY experiments, and a re‐evaluation of several previous epoxide‐related studies.     

Identification of α-parinaric acid in the seed oil ofSebastiana brasiliensis sprengel (Euphorbiaceae)

Besides some usual fatty acids, the seed oil ofSabastiana brasiliensis (Euphorbiaceae) contains up to 39% (estimated by ultraviolet spectroscopy) of α-parinaric acid (cis, trans, trans, cis-9, 11, 13, 15-octadecatetraenoic acid). The fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry as their methyl esters. The structure of α-parinaric acid was proven by a combination of chemical and spectroscopic methods, conducted with the crude oil, the methyl ester mixture, and the isolated fatty acid methyl ester. Complete assignment of the¹H and¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shifts of α-parinaric acid was carried out by two-dimensional NMR experiments Presented in part at the 21st world Congress and Exhibition of the International Society for Fat Research (ISF), October 1–6, 1995, The Hague, The Netherlands.     

Screening vegetable oil alcohol esters as fuel lubricity enhancers

Methyl and ethyl monoalkyl esters of various vegetable oils were produced for determining the effects of type of alcohol and fatty acid profile of the vegetable oil on the lubricity of the ester. Four methyl esters and six ethyl esters were analyzed for wear properties using the American Society for Testing and Materials method D 6079, Evaluating Lubricity of Diesel Fuels by the High-Frequency Reciprocating Rig. Ethyl esters showed noticeable improvement compared to methyl esters in the wear properties of each ester tested. No correlation was found between lubricity improvement and fatty acid profile of the ester, except that esters of castor oil had improved lubricity over other oils with similar carbon chain-length (C₁₈) fatty acids.     

Fatty Acid Methyl Esters with Two Vicinal Alkylthio Side Chains and Their NMR Characterization

The addition reaction of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) to double bonds in alkenes and monounsaturated fatty acid esters in the presence of iodine or other catalysts to give bis(methylthio) derivatives has largely served analytical purposes in mass spectrometry with scattered reports on the addition of other disulfides to alkenes also existing. In this work, this iodine-catalyzed reaction was expanded to include the addition of other dialkyl disulfides (RSSR; R=ethyl, propyl, butyl, iso-propyl) besides DMDS to the double bonds in monounsaturated fatty acid methyl esters with 16, 18, 20, and 22 carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain to give the corresponding methyl 1,2-bis(alkylthio)alkanoates. The products are obtained in high to moderate yield after a facile purification procedure and are analytically characterized not only by mass spectrometry but also ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The threo and erythro diastereomers obtained from (Z) and (E) fatty acid methyl esters, respectively, can be easily distinguished by the NMR shifts of the protons and carbons in and close to the 1,2-bis(alkylthio) moiety. Various other effects in the NMR spectra are discussed. The 1,2-bis(alkylthio) derivatives of a symmetrical alkene, 7(E)-tetradecene, serve to confirm the NMR assignments besides NMR techniques such as 2D correlations and DEPT. The compounds may show properties of interest for various applications.     

Fatty acids of Thespesia populnea: Mass spectrometry of picolinyl esters of cyclopropene fatty acids

Thespesia populnea belongs to the plant family of Malvaceae which contain cyclopropane and cyclopropene fatty acids. However, previous literature reports vary regarding the content of these compounds in Thespesia populnea seed oil. In this work, the content of malvalic acid (8,9‐methylene‐9‐heptadecenoic acid) in the fatty acid profile of Thespesia populnea seed oil was approximately 7% by GC. Two cyclopropane fatty acids were identified, including dihydrosterculic acid. The methyl and picolinyl esters of Thespesia populnea seed oil were also prepared. The mass spectrum of picolinyl malvalate was more closely investigated, especially an ion at m/e 279, which does not fit the typical series of ions observed in picolinyl esters. It is shown that this ion is caused by cleavage at the picolinyl moiety and contains the fatty acid chain without the picolinyl moiety. This type of cleavage has previously not been observed prominently in picolinyl esters and may therefore be diagnostic for picolinyl esters of cyclopropene fatty acids. The NMR spectra of Thespesia populnea methyl esters are also discussed. Practical applications: The work reports the fatty acid composition of Thespesia seed oil whose derivatives have not yet been extensively utilized for industrial purposes, for example, biodiesel. Knowing this composition is essential for understanding potential uses and, for example, in case of biodiesel the fuel properties. Besides this issue, some data (mass spectrometry and NMR) crucial for obtaining the composition information are analyzed in detail. The biodiesel properties of methyl esters of Thespesia populnea will be reported separately.     

Structural elucidation of humic acids extracted from Pakistani lignite using spectroscopic and thermal degradative techniques

The present paper describes the characterization of Pakistan lignite coal, derived humic acids (HAL) and nitrohumic acids (NHA) along with the standard leonardite humic acids (LHA). The study utilized chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques to characterize the structure of coal and derived materials. Pyrolysis coupled to gc/ms was conducted with and without methylating agent (tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide). The pyrolysis study resulted in releasing mainly fatty acid methyl esters, different series of hydrocarbons and α, ω-dicarboxylic acid methyl esters. Triterpenoids, syringic and ρ-coumaric compounds and aromatic compounds derived from lignin moieties were also detected. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and NMR data helped to evaluate the influence of coal rank on regeneration and nitration processes with respect to chemical structural composition of coal and derived materials. FT-IR spectra of four materials were similar except that NHA showed an absorption band at 1532 cm⁻¹, thus confirming the presence of -NO₂ groups. ¹³C NMR indicated higher aromaticity and less hydroxylalkyl material in HAL than NHA. The elemental composition and acid functional group content of four materials were also reported.The combination of results from different analytical techniques gives an improved understanding of the Pakistan coal nature and helpful for its future utilization.     

Displacement of the double bonds during hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters

Summary The displacement of the double bond of several unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters during hydrogenation with a nickel-kieselguhr catalyst at 180°C. was investigated. The analysis of the dicarboxylic acids (obtained by oxidation of the reaction products with KMnO₄ in acetic acid solution) by means of partition chromatography enabled a reliable semiquantitative determination of the position isomers formed. During hydrogenation of methyl esters of oleic, elaidic, petroselinic, and linoleic acid formation of large amounts of position isomers was proved to occur. Migration of the double bonds in both directions took place but was in all cases strongly pronounced in a direction opposite the ester group. The place and configuration (cis or trans) of the double bonds in the starting material apparently were of little importance in this respect. It follows that hydrogenation of fatty acid esters leads to products which are far more complicated, as is generally known. This is especially of importance with respect to the application of hydrogenated fatty oils in the food industries.     

Partial hydrothermal oxidation of unsaturated high molecular weight carboxylic acids for enhancing the cold flow properties of biodiesel fuel

Biodiesel fuel has become more attractive recently because of its environmental benefits and the fact that it is a product made from renewable resources. However the less favorable cold flow properties or the low temperature operability of biodiesel fuel compared to conventional diesel is a major drawback limiting its use. The poor flow properties of biodiesel at cold temperatures are mainly due to biodiesel fuel being composed of long-chain fatty acids with an alcohol molecule attached. If the double bond of unsaturated fatty acids in these long-chain fatty acids could be ruptured selectively, then the cold flow properties of biodiesel fuel would be enhanced by reducing its viscosity.In this study, the selective hydrothermal oxidation of oleic acid, as a model compound of unsaturated high molecular weight carboxylic acids, was studied experimentally. The objective was to use this as a model to investigate whether the double bond of unsaturated fatty acids can be ruptured selectively by partial hydrothermal oxidation. Demonstration of this method could then be used to show the potential to improve the cold flow properties of biodiesel. Results showed that the amount of mono-carboxylic acids, aldehyde, di-carboxylic acids, and aldehyde-acids with a carbon number of 9 was significantly higher than other oxidative products. This suggests that the oxidative cleavage may principally occur at the double bond in hydrothermal conditions. The cloud and pour points for biodiesel fuel (B100) and B100 blend with a mixture of methyl esters or acetals were measured. These are the most important indicators for the cold flow properties of biodiesel fuel. The methyl esters or acetals used were made from the esterification of carboxylic acids or aldehydes by simulating the major oxidation products. These were obtained from the hydrothermal oxidation of oleic acid at different oxygen supply rates. Results showed that the cloud and pour points of the blend were significantly enhanced compared to those of B100.     

Surfactants from glucamines and ω‐epoxy fatty acid esters

The ring‐opening reaction of ω‐epoxy fatty acid methyl esters (9,10‐epoxy decanoic acid methyl ester, 10,11‐epoxy undecanoic acid methyl ester and 13,14‐epoxy tetradecanoic acid methyl ester) with N‐methyl glucamine or glucamine was studied. A new method (in methanol under reflux) leads to products, which are surfactants of linear‐ or γ‐type‐structure, in fair yields and purities. In a following step the ring‐opening products were saponificated by enzymatic catalysis or by conversion with sodium hydroxide leading to amphoteric surfactants. The surface‐active properties of the methyl esters and their corresponding acids or salts were studied at various pH‐values by measurement of surface tension of aqueous solutions and by examination of foaming properties. Depending on the chain length of the used epoxides, the structure of the obtained sugar‐based surfactant and the pH‐values, different surface‐active properties were observed. Several of the achieved products reduce the surface tension of aqueous solution down to 26—40 mN/m. Examination of foaming properties of the latter show rather poor or good foamers, depending on the surfactant used or the pH‐value of the solution.     

Simultaneous determination by GC-MS of epoxy and hydroxy FA as their methoxy derivatives

We report on a capillary GC-MS method for the quantitative analysis of hydroxy and epoxy FA. Catalytic hydrogenation of lipid extracts produces stable saturated lipids. Saponification followed by methylation with boron trifluoride in the presence of methanol converts FA to methyl esters and epoxy groups to methoxy-hydroxy groups. These compounds are purified from nonoxidized methyl esters using solid phase extraction. Derivatization of the hydroxy group using tetramethylammonium hydroxide forms methoxy and vicinal dimethoxy FAME. When subjected to El-MS, fragmentation gives two characteristic ion fragments for each epoxy and hydroxy positional isomer. Quantitative measurements were achieved using uniformly labeled hydroxy and epoxy ¹³C FA as internal standards. Epoxy and hydroxy FA were identified in both plasma and adipose tissue of men, and the levels of hydroxy and epoxy in these tissues were related. The levels of hydroxy isomers were typical of oxidation of linoleic acid, whereas epoxy isomers were characteristic of oxidation of oleic acid.