Production of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas oil using Mg2+ supported with ZnO as heterogeneous catalyst

The aim of this study was to obtain biodiesel from the oil of Jatropha Curcas seed. This seed has high levels of fatty acids and is characterized by its resistance to drought due to its ability to grow in infertile soils. Biodiesel was obtained through a heterogeneous catalytic process due to its high reaction and reduction rates of undesirable products. The biodiesel production was did by a transesterification process using a catalyst made with a magnesium impregnation process supported with zinc oxide. We found a high effectivity in the biodiesel production due to formation of ferric hydroxamate during the qualitative identification of methyl esters. This result and also their characterization by gas chromatography are positive tests for theses type of compounds. The Jatropha Curcas oil is a potential material for the obtention of biofuels useful as heterogeneous catalytic.