Optimisation of Biodiesel Production from Mahogany Seed Oil Using Calcined Banana Peel Catalyst via Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

This study explores the feasibility of using calcined banana peel (CBP) as a heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production from non-edible mahogany seed oil (MSO). The research addresses sustainability and cost concerns of conventional biodiesel production while mitigating ethical issues associated with edible oil feedstocks and environmental impacts of traditional catalysts. The CBP catalyst was prepared and comprehensively characterised using FTIR, SEM-EDS, and BET surface area analysis, revealing a surface area of 527.6 m²/g with a pore volume of 0.264 cm³/g. The transesterification process was optimised using response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) to determine the effects of reaction time, temperature, methanol-to-oil molar ratio, and catalyst concentration on biodiesel yield. Optimum conditions were determined to be a reaction time of 156 minutes, a temperature of 66°C, and a catalyst concentration of 2.45%. Under these conditions, the maximum experimental biodiesel yield was 59.61%, which compared well with the predicted value of 61.65%. GC-MS analysis confirmed the biodiesel's composition as primarily fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), with methyl oleate and methyl linoleate as major components. Analysis of key physicochemical properties demonstrated that the mahogany biodiesel largely meets ASTM standards for fuel quality. These findings demonstrate the potential of CBP as a viable and sustainable heterogeneous catalyst for efficient MSO biodiesel production, offering a promising route to reduce waste, utilise non-edible feedstocks, and enhance biofuel industry sustainability.