Abstract

INTEGRATED PRODUCTION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ECOTOXICOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF BIODIESEL DERIVED FROM CRUDE CASTOR OIL (RICINUS COMMUNIS L.) AGAINST ARTEMIA SALINA

Saheed Olatunde Jaji*, Johnson Oshiobugie Momoh, Gbenga Akinyemi Olagbaye, Taiwo Samson Aiyelero

ABSTRACT

The growing global demand for sustainable energy has intensified research into biodiesel derived from non-edible oils. In this study, crude castor oil (Ricinus communis L.) was utilized as a low-cost feedstock for biodiesel synthesis via base-catalyzed transesterification reaction. Both the crude oil and biodiesel were characterized using physicochemical analyses, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Key physicochemical parameters revealed a marked reduction in viscosity (from 267 ± 1.5 cP to 11.0 ± 0.25 cP), acid value (from 5.00 ± 0.10 mg KOH/g to 0.50 ± 0.02 mg KOH/g), and density (from 0.945 ± 0.002 g/cm³ to 0.889 ± 0.001 g/cm³), indicating successful conversion and compliance with EN 14214 and ASTM D6751 standards. FTIR spectra confirmed ester formation via characteristic C=O (1740 cm⁻¹) and CH₃–O (1010–950 cm⁻¹) bands, while GC–MS analysis identified predominant methyl esters including methyl ricinoleate, methyl oleate, and methyl linoleate. A brine-shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality assay demonstrated low acute toxicity, with LC₅₀ = 83.18±280.64 µg/mL for biodiesel versus 8.913±14.00 µg/mL for crude oil, suggesting improved environmental safety after transesterification. These findings confirm that crude castor oil is a viable feedstock for high-quality, low-toxicity biodiesel production, integrating chemical conversion efficiency with environmental sustainability.  

Keywords: Castor oil, biodiesel, transesterification, FTIR, GC–MS, ecotoxicity and renewable energy.