Physicochemical Potential of Balanites aegyptiaca Seed Kernel Oil from Northern Cameroon for Biodiesel valorization

This research work reports the physicochemical potentialities of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel oil for biodiesel valorization. Balanites seed was sampling from Pitoa, Maroua and Moutourwa localities located from North Cameroon and the kernel oil was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus. The physicochemical and the free fatty acid composition of kernel oils was determined. Among the three samples, those of Pitoa shows the higher oil yield (56.6 %). All the Refractive index of these oils were ranged in ASTM and their kinematic viscosities were small compared to the EN ISO 3104 standard. The Acid values measured were all less than EN 14104 standard and the iodine values were in accordance with EN 14111 standard, whereas, the saponification value for the samples of Maroua (139.5 ± 0.07) was higher than those of Pitoa (123.6 ± 0.04) and Moutourwa (131.5 ± 0.06) and the Peroxide values measured were lower than 10 meq/Kg. Unsaturated fatty acids were higher for the sample of Maroua (78.8 %) than those of Moutourwa (76.9%) and Pitoa (77.7 %). This research work indicate that B.aegyptiaca kernel oil obtainable from North Cameroon as higher yield (50.7-56.6%). The kernel oil shows good physicochemical properties and fatty acids profile which can be valorised as a feedstock for the production of biodiesel.

Place and Duration of Study: School of Chemical Engineering and Minerals Industries - Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ngaoundere – Cameroon