Exploiting the Complementary Potential of Rice Bran Oil as a Low-Cost Raw Material for Bioenergy Production

Rice is one of the most consumed cereals in world. From rice processing, bran obtained, and only a part this by-product effectively used. oil can be obtained used as an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production, although few studies exist to support its exploitation. In addition, pretreatment required reduce acidity allow integration conventional industrial process. This work evaluated two processes aiming free fatty acids (FFAs) content by employing acid-catalyzed process biocatalyzed The results allowed us assess efficiency effectiveness both pretreatments. For that purpose, acid (45, 55 65 °C, using H2SO4 concentrations 2 wt.% or 4 methanol:oil molar ratio 9:1) enzymatic FFAs conversion (35 °C 6:1 5 Thermomyces lanuginosus) were with value around 47 mg KOH.g−1, reaction kinetics assessed. Acid esterification enabled 92% reduction (65 catalyst) after 8 h, final product presenting 3.7 KOH.g−1 purity 42 wt.%. 82%, resulting 7.0 KOH.g−1; however, 24 was 87 (almost two-fold increase compared homogeneous process), revealing glycerides. study (acid) showed that, temperatures > 45 constant rate increased temperature. A higher temperature catalyst (k′ = 0.13 min−1). heterogeneous (enzymatic) esterification, lower 0.028 min−1), expected. revealed technical viability important parameters concerning performance solutions. Finally, should further explored, develop more ecofriendly (water energy savings) produce from oils high (low-cost raw materials).