Abstract

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FATTY ACID METHYL ESTER FROM LINUM USITATISSIMUM (LINSEED) SEED OIL

Shobha Borhade*

ABSTRACT

Linum usitatissimum (Linseed) seed is popularly used in various food products, because of its nutritional values and potential health benefits. Natural seed of of Linum usitatissimum (Linseed) contains 35 % of oil. Linum usitatissimum (Linseed) seed oil contains 53.21 % alphalinolenic ( omega-3 fatty acid ) & 17.25 % linoleic ( omega-6 fatty acid ). Seed oil was extracted by n-hexane & fatty acids present in the seed oil is necessary to apply for transesterification to convert fatty acid methyl ester. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is created through an alkali catalyzed reaction between fats or fatty acids and methanol. In the transesterification of fatty acids, the carboxyl group of an acid and the hydroxyl group of an alcohol are condensed. This makes the fatty acids methyl ester Now FAME excellent for stability as samples for analysis. Transesterification is a general term used to indicate the direct conversion of triacylglycerols lipids by alcohols to alkyl esters without first isolating the free fatty acids (FFA). The alkaline catalyst, sodium hydroxide (NaOH),was used in the methanolysis of Linum usitatissimum (Linseed) seed oil Physico-chemical properties of FAME of of Linum usitatissimum (Linseed) seed oil was studied .Fatty acid methyl ester was characterized by UV, IR & LCMS.

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