Methods for Refining of Brebra (Millettia ferruginea) Oil for the Production of Biodiesel

Oil from brebra (Millettia ferruginea) is the potential raw material for biodiesel production. The refining of crude oil requires a series of purification steps to produce quality biodiesel. The objective of the study was to produce refined oil from brebra seed for biodiesel production. Crude oil extraction was carried out using mechanical press and solvent extraction methods. Impurities of the oil were determined by standard assay methods. Solubility characteristics of precipitates were determined. The data generated from nature of solubility were used to design refining technique. The appropriate method was found to be hexane-ethanol refining techniques. From crude oil extract using solvents, 84.66% and 15.34% were pure oil and residue, respectively. From crude oil extract by mechanical press, 86.83% and 13.17% were refined oil and residue, respectively. The quantity of refined oil extract by mechanical press was significantly (p < 0.05) increased than extracted by hexane. Crude oil contained 4.4% protein and 7.2% phospholipid. These impurities were responsible for the inferior quality of the biodiesel from crude oil. It is possible to recover the used solvents from their respective components by using Rotavapour and reuse for another oil refinery batch. Brebra oil can have important application for production of biodiesel.