Production and Characterization of Biodiesel from Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F) Seed Oil

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F) seed oil was transesterified using 1% sodium hydroxide as the catalyst at 60°C and oil/methanol ratio of 1:6 (v/v) to produce its corresponding methyl esters (biodiesel). The percentage yield of the biodiesel was 90%, indicative of a good biodiesel feedstock. The biodiesel obtained from the fluted pumpkin seed oil was yellow in colour with a relative density of 0.872 and a kinematic viscosity of 2.50 mm²/s; the relative density and kinematic viscosity being, respectively, similar to and lower than that of petrodiesel and some conventional biodiesel. The iodine value was found to be 102.33mgI₂/g, the acid value 0.22mgKOH/g and the peroxide value 0.20mEq/Kg. The cetane number and the flash point were 64.079 and 138°C, respectively and the heat of combustion was 35.3MJ/Kg. All these results show that fluted pumpkin seed oil has a great biodiesel potential.