STORAX (Styrax officinalis L.) AS A NOVEL NON-EDIBLE OIL RESOURCE FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

Water use and management will be a critical issue in the future due to climate change. Tesbi (Styrax officinalis L.), a plant species that can grow in marginal areas, is important for its ability to produce high yields in non-water areas. We compared the physical and chemical characteristics of Styrax officinalis L. seeds to those of important oil crops, such as safflower, soybean, canola, and wild mustard. The storax seed oil's fatty acid composition and some of its physico-chemical characteristics were examined to ascertain whether it was suitable for use in the manufacturing of biodiesel. The oil content of storax seed was determined 59.99%. The most dominant fatty acids in this crude oil were linoleic acid (68.95%) and oleic acid (20.01%). The biodiesel properties of tesbi oil were found to be: density (15 degrees C) 905 kg/m(3), color 1.4, pH 7, flash point 176 degrees C, kinematic viscosity (40 degrees C) 5.65, cloud point-9 degrees C, CFPP-2.17 degrees C, pour point-5.93 degrees C, freezing point-0.82 degrees C, water content 520.01 ppm, saponification number 200.77 ml/KOH/g, iodine value 106.23 g iodine/100 g, cetane number 49.58, HHV 39.60 MJ/kg, molecular weight 875.74 g, oxidation stability 3.91 h, carbon 76.57 wt%, hydrogen 11.91 wt%, oxygen 11.47 wt%, and C/H ratio 0.53 wt%. Storax oil biodiesel is a potential alternative fuel.