Green chromatography determination of fatty acid methyl esters in biodiesel

Abstract

This work proposes a green, simple and rapid chromatographic methodology for separation and determination of a group of 13 fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) by using a capillary gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The method was successfully applied for the determination of FAMEs in biodiesel samples from commercial and waste cooking oils, synthesized by homogeneous catalysis. Detection and quantification limits were in the μg L⁻¹ level. Direct injection of sample solution was compared with solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction procedures, giving similar results. The lower analysis time represent considerable improvement compared with other papers. The described methodology is especially suitable for process control applications. The samples analysed showed total contents of FAMEs higher than 96.5%, which verifies the European regulations.

Keywords:

• biodiesel
• fatty acids methyl esters
• gas chromatography
• transesterification
• flame ionization detector

Acknowledgements

C. Molina Mayo thanks ‘Consejería de Educación, Cultura y Deporte’ of Canary Islands Government for a Ph.D. grant.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The authors would like to thank ‘Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia’ of Spanish Government (CTQ2005-02626) for financial support.