Ecology & Safety, Volume 17, 2023

Abstract: During the production of biodiesel, a by-product - the glycerol phase is formed (about 10% of the obtained biodiesel). The interesterification of vegetable oil using carboxylate esters of low molecular weight does not produce glycerol, instead its compounds (mono-, di- and triformyl glycerides) are obtained in a mixture with fatty acid alkyl esters (conventional biodiesel). Such a product can be used as fuel for diesel engines. The aim of the work was to investigate the possibilities of application of methyl formate in the biotechnological production of biodiesel. The industrial enzyme preparation Lipozyme TL IM was used as a catalyst for interesterification. The influence of the amount of catalyst, the molar ratio of methyl formate to oil and the duration of the process on the yield of biodiesel was evaluated. The highest yield of rapeseed oil methyl esters was obtained under the following conditions: 14-15% of the enzyme preparation Lipozyme TL IM (based on the weight of the oil), molar ratio of methyl formate to oil - 40:1, duration - 60 h. Under these conditions, an 81.6% yield of rapeseed oil methyl esters was obtained.