Scanning electron microscopy as a tool for authentication of biodiesel synthesis from Linum usitatissimum seed oil

Abstract

Utilization of renewable and alternative energy feedstocks such as nonedible seeds oil to deal with the increasing energy crises and related ecological concerns have gained the attention of researchers. Biodiesel is an efficient and renewable substitute for diesel engine. This work investigates the potential of inexpensive nonedible seed oil of Linum usitatissimum to synthesize biodiesel using iron sulfate green nanocatalyst through the process of transesterification. Flax seed contains about 37.5% oil content estimated through Soxhlet apparatus. Light microscopy revealed that seed size varies from 3.0 to 6.0 cm in length, 2.0 to 3.3 cm in width, and 0.7 to 1.0 mm in diameter. Color of seed varied from yellow to brown. Characterization of biodiesel is performed through GC–MS and FTIR. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to study the morphological features of seed coat. Catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy diffraction X‐ray, and X‐ray diffraction. The diffraction peaks of Fe3O4 green nanoparticles were found to be in 2θ values, 30.24°, 35.62°, 38.26°, 49.56°, 57.12°, and 62.78°. Fuel properties of biodiesel are also determined and compared with ASTM standards. Linum usitatissimum biodiesel has density 0.8722 (15°C kg/L), kinetic viscosity 5.45 (40°C cSt), flash point (90°C), pour point (−13°C), cloud point (−9°C), sulfur (0.0432% wt), and total acid number (0.245 mg KOH/g). It is concluded that L. usitatissimum seed oil is a highly potential source for biodiesel production to cope with the challenge of present energy demand.

Chromatographic assessment of biodiesel production from Peganum harmala seed oil using environmentally benign nano‐catalysts

“…A gold (Au) sputter coater (model CCU‐010) was used to apply a thin layer of gold to the mounted samples. The gold‐coated seed samples were analyzed using a high‐resolution scanning electron microscope, namely a Tescan MIRA3 SEM (Niazi et al, 2022).…”

Structure and Regeneration Status of Woody Seed Oil Species in Northern Botswana

“…Biodiesel is also known as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), and is produced from a variety of feedstocks, both edible and non-edible seed oils (Niazi et al, 2022). Examples of edible oils that have been used are rapeseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, palm oil and hazelnut oil (Martinez et al, 2014;Qasim, 2019).…”

Morpho‐palynological and anatomical studies in desert cacti (Opuntia dillenii and Opuntia monacantha) using light and scanning electron microscopy

“…In recent years, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has emerged as a significant research tool in the micro‐morphological analysis of pollen (Ahmad et al, 2018; Ahmad et al, 2020; Ayaz et al, 2019; Khan, Abidin, et al, 2019; Khan, Kiliç, et al, 2019; Khan, Zafar, et al, 2019). Scanning electron microscopy has a significant impact on different of biological disciplines in recent years (Ahmad et al, 2021; Khan et al, 2018; Niazi et al, 2022; Ullah, Ahmad, Jabeen, et al, 2021; Ullah, Ahmad, Zafar, et al, 2021; Ullah, Nasar Shah, et al, 2019; Ullah, Zafar, Ahmad, et al, 2021; Ullah, Zaman, et al, 2019). Furthermore, enhanced microscopy techniques can not only play a significant role in this discipline by studying plant specimen ultrastructure (Ahmad et al, 2022; Kalsoom et al, 2019; Khan et al, 2021; Lubna et al, 2019; Ullah, Ahmad, Jabeen, et al, 2021; Ullah, Ahmad, Zafar, et al, 2021; Ullah, Zafar, Ahmad, et al, 2021) but also in other fields of biology (Ahmad et al, 2018; Ullah, Ahmad, Jabeen, et al, 2021; Ullah, Ahmad, Zafar, et al, 2021; Ullah, Zafar, Ahmad, et al, 2021).…”