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Article

Optimization of Blighia sapida Seed Oil Biodiesel Production: A Sustainable Approach to Renewable Biofuels

by
Oyetola Ogunkunle
and
Christopher C. Enweremadu
*
Department of Mechanical, Bioresources and Biomedical Engineering, Science Campus, University of South Africa, Florida 1710, South Africa
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Resources 2025, 14(6), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources14060089 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 11 April 2025 / Revised: 20 May 2025 / Accepted: 23 May 2025 / Published: 26 May 2025

Abstract

This study aims to optimize the production of biodiesel from Blighia sapida (Ackee) seed oil, a non-edible and underutilized feedstock, as a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil-based diesel fuels. The transesterification of Blighia sapida seed oil was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken experimental design. Three process variables, reaction time, temperature, and methanol-to-oil molar ratio, were selected for modeling biodiesel yield. The resulting biodiesel was characterized by physicochemical properties in accordance with ASTM D6751 standards. The optimal transesterification conditions were found to be 60 min, 60 °C, and a methanol-to-oil ratio of 3:1, yielding 98.36% biodiesel. This represents an improvement over the unoptimized yield of 94.3% at a 6:1 molar ratio. Experimental validation produced an average yield of 97.49%, confirming the model’s reliability. The produced biodiesel exhibited a kinematic viscosity of 4.02 mm2/s, cetane number of 54.6, flash point of 138 °C, and acid value of 0.421 mg KOH/g, which are all within the ASTM D6751 standard limits. This work is among the first to systematically optimize Blighia sapida biodiesel production using RSM. The results demonstrate its viability as a clean-burning, high-quality biodiesel fuel with promising fuel properties and environmental benefits. Its high cetane number and low methanol requirement enhance its combustion performance and production efficiency, positioning Blighia sapida as a competitive feedstock for sustainable biofuel development.
Keywords: Blighia sapida; biodiesel; transesterification; optimization; response surface methodology; sustainable energy Blighia sapida; biodiesel; transesterification; optimization; response surface methodology; sustainable energy

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ogunkunle, O.; Enweremadu, C.C. Optimization of Blighia sapida Seed Oil Biodiesel Production: A Sustainable Approach to Renewable Biofuels. Resources 2025, 14, 89. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources14060089

AMA Style

Ogunkunle O, Enweremadu CC. Optimization of Blighia sapida Seed Oil Biodiesel Production: A Sustainable Approach to Renewable Biofuels. Resources. 2025; 14(6):89. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources14060089

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ogunkunle, Oyetola, and Christopher C. Enweremadu. 2025. "Optimization of Blighia sapida Seed Oil Biodiesel Production: A Sustainable Approach to Renewable Biofuels" Resources 14, no. 6: 89. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources14060089

APA Style

Ogunkunle, O., & Enweremadu, C. C. (2025). Optimization of Blighia sapida Seed Oil Biodiesel Production: A Sustainable Approach to Renewable Biofuels. Resources, 14(6), 89. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources14060089

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