Assessment of Desert Date (Balanites Aegyptiaca) Seed Oil as a Potential Raw Material for Biodiesel Production

Abstract Oil from desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) seeds was extracted via solvent extraction. The chemical and physical properties of the oil were determined to ascertain its suitability for biodiesel production. The results showed saponification value 171.6 mg KOH/g, peroxide value 8.7 meq/kg, iodine value 96.2, acid value 0.9470 mg/g, free fatty acid 0.43%, specific gravity 0.9132, moisture content 9.26%, and fatty acid profile: palmitic acid 14.1%, stearic acid 15.52%, oleic acid 27.64%, linoleic acid 41.0%. Biodiesel was produced through transesterification with a yield of 58.85%. The produced biodiesel exhibited cloud point 8°C, pour point − 0.3°C, flash point 78°C, and kinematic viscosity 4.8 mm²/s. These properties compare very well with ASTM D6751 standards, confirming that desert date seed oil is a promising non-edible feedstock for biodiesel production.