The effect of n-hexane as co-solvent in direct trans esterification of Spirulina platensis using microwave

The addition of co-solvent on in situ trans esterification was considered as one of method to improve the extractive process and increase in yield of biodiesel from microalgae. In this study, in situ trans esterification with co-solvent using microwave was studied for improving performance of in situ trans esterification from microalgae. The biodiesel produced from this method was compared with the in situ trans esterification without co-solvent addition. In the optimal reaction conditions (ratio of microalgae to methanol 1:15 w /v; 30 ml of co-solvent and 30 % of H2SO4) at 50 min of reaction time, yield of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) produced was 81.04 % compared to only 75,246 % methyl ester produced by in situ trans esterification without co-solvents. The Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Analysis showed the methyl ester profile was a Medium Chain Fatty Acid, MCFA and the largest fatty acid component was dominated by Saturated Fatty Acid, SAFA.