Extraction of Oil, Biogas and Biodiesel from Moringa oleifera Seeds.

Emmanuel O. Ahaotu, Reginald E. Uwalaka, Maxwell C. Edih and Pius O. Ihiaha

Abstract

The present work was on the extraction of the oil from the Moringa (Moringa oleifera) kernel as a source for biodiesel and biogas production. Moringa is an indigenous tree in India. Several extraction methods are used to determine the extraction yields, solvent extraction (n-hexane and ethanol), and supercritical extraction (Sc-CO2) respectively. Supercritical extraction pressures of 200 to 400 bar and temperatures of 40°C and 60°C were tested. Gas Chromatography analysis revealed that the main fatty acids in Moringa oil are oleic acid (69%), palmitic acid (10%) and stearic acid (8%).

Key words

(Moringa oleifera, CO2 Supercritical Extraction, Solvent Extraction, Ben Oil)