COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON THE PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FATTY

ACID METHYL ESTER FROM MANILA SEA CAT FISH OR KANDULI (Arius
Manillensis) AND BIGHEAD CARP (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) AS BIODIESEL
Jojimar Sj. Julian
Abstract
Energy crisis has been defined as a great shortfall in the supply of energy resources to

the economy or price rise of the energy resources. It is referred to the shortage of oil,

electricity and other natural resources. The crisis often has effects on the economic

growth, with many recessions being caused by an energy crisis in some form or the

other. The question whether energy conservation policies affect economic activities is of

great interest in the international debate on impact of energy consumption on economic

growth of any country. The causal relationship between energy consumption and

economic growth has been widely studied, no consensus regarding relationship

between energy consumption and economic growth has yet been reached Muazam

Rashid Dar (2007).

The study aimed to determine the potential of kanduli (Arius Manillensi) and

Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) as an acceptable source of Biodiesel.

To characterize fatty acid methyl ester from Manila Sea Catfish in terms of

percentage yield, density, moisture content and viscosity, the researchers applied the

following procedure: The materials that were used to conduct the extraction of fish oil

were Manila Sea Catfish flesh and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), stove,

casserole, blades/knives, containers, pipette, aspirator, beaker, graduated cylinder and

spatula.

The researcher collected the Manila Sea Catfish and Bighead Carp

(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) on Cardona Municipal Fish Port where the subject was
abundant. After the collection of the subject, its tail and fine was removed and the whole

flesh together with its internal organs was place inside a casserole containing a moderate

amount of water.

The Manila Sea Catfish and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) was

subjected into heat and boil until the oil appeared, revealing itself less dense that the

water. It was collected using a spatula and place in a beaker. Then to completely separate

the oil over the existing amount of water, a pipette and an aspirator was used. The oil was

place in a graduated cylinder to measure the amount gathered, this will be subjected to

transestirification process.

The process was done at the Chemical and Energy Division (CED), Department

of cience and Technology (DOST), Bicutan, Taguig City. The Manila Sea Catfish oil was

first analyzed for Acid Value (AV) to determine the type of catalyst to be used in the

transesterification process. Then the sample was subjected to the process with methanol

and sodium hydroxide (NaHO) as a catalyst. The product was let to stand overnight for

complete separation of glycerin and methyl ester layer. The methyl ester layer was

washed with warm water, heated and filtered to get a clear final product.

The process was done at the laboratory of the Department of Energy (DOE) Taguig

City Metro Manila. After the characterization test, the researchers acquired the result of

the analysis and interpret the data.

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions formulated.

Big Head Carp oil produced a high level of fatty acid methyl ester than Kanduli Oil

in accordance with Philippine National Standards.

 In accordance with Philippine National Standard biodiesel capability test and the

result of the method applied, kanduli fatty acid methyl ester passed the following tests:

Copper Strip Corrosion, Kinematic Viscosity, Sulfur Content and total glycerine. Moreover

Big Head Carp fatty acid methyl ester passed the following tests: Copper Strip Corrosion,

Kinematic Viscosity and Sulfur Content but with high measure of total glycerine found

that used in the conduct of the study which did not pass the requirements of the method

applied for Philippine National Standard biodiesel.

There is no significant difference on the Philippine National Standard for biofuels

and the capability level of produced Fatty Acid Methyl Ester kanduli and Big Head Carp

Based from the conclusions drawn, the following recommendations hereby

suggested:

Specific extraction process should be identify for the good quality of oil extracted

from kanduli.

Oil should be transestify immediately after the extraction.

Subject the obtained methyl ester from kanduli and Big Head Carp to Fatty Acid

Lipid Profile to determine its components and prior to its other potential uses.

The use of the abdominal parts of the kanduli and Big Head Carp for further

experiments regarding its oil is recommended because of the high oil yield from the

abdominal parts of the fish. Test the potential of kanduli and Big Head oil as cooking oil.

Conduct further study involving the family of oily fishes.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The study aimed to determine the potential of kanduli (Arius Manillensi) and

Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) as an acceptable source of Biodiesel.

 Specifically, this study sought to answer the following questions:

1. How was the Kanduli and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) Oil

transestify to obtain Fatty Acid Methyl Ester?

2. What is the level of Methyl Ester yield from Kanduli (Arius Manillensi) and

Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) oil?

3. What is the capability level of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester from kanduli (Arius

Manillensi) and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) as biodiesel with

respect to:

2.1. Copper Strip Corrosion;

2.3. Kinematic Viscosity;

2.4. Sulfur, %mass; and

2.5. Total Glycerine, %mass?

4. Is there a significant difference on the Fatty Acid Methyl Ester from Kanduli

(Arius Manillensi) and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) in terms of:

3.1. Copper Strip Corrosion;

2.3. Kinematic Viscosity;

2.4. Sulfur, %mass; and

2.5. Total Glycerin, %mass?

Significance

The result of the study may serve as the basis for the researchers to pursue further

research about the oil components of the different feasible local and available aquatic

resources. This may also serve as a motivation for others to conduct more researchers

to enhance their knowledge and ability to create more valuable inventions involving the

potential aquatic resources such as other fishes and etc.

Materials and Methods
1. Preparation of Materials

a. Manila Sea Catfish flesh and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys

nobilis)

b. Stove

c. Casserole

d. blades/knives

e. containers

f. pipette

g. aspirator

h. beaker

i. graduated cylinder

j. spatula.

2. Preparation of the Specimen

The researcher collected the Manila Sea Catfish and Bighead Carp

(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) on Cardona Municipal Fish Port where the

subject was abundant. After the collection of the subject, its tail and fine was

removed and the whole flesh together with its internal organs was place

inside a casserole containing a moderate amount of water.

3. Extraction of the Oil

The Manila Sea Catfish and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)

was subjected into heat and boil until the oil appeared, revealing itself less

dense that the water. It was collected using a spatula and place in a beaker.
Then to completely separate the oil over the existing amount of water, a

pipette and an aspirator was used. The oil was place in a graduated cylinder

to measure the amount gathered, this will be subjected to transestirification

process.

Figure 4

Photographic Presentation of Obtaining Kanduli Oil

4. Trasestirification Process

The process was done at the Chemical and Energy Division (CED),

Department of cience and Technology (DOST), Bicutan, Taguig City.

The Manila Sea Catfish oil was first analyzed for Acid Value (AV) to

determine the type of catalyst to be used in the transesterification

process. Then the sample was subjected to the process with methanol

and sodium hydroxide (NaHO) as a catalyst. The product was let to

stand overnight for complete separation of glycerin and methyl ester

layer. The methyl ester layer was washed with warm water, heated and

filtered to get a clear final product.

 Figure 5
Photographic Presentation of the Site Where Transesterification was Done

Figure 6
Photographic Presentation of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester FAME Yield from Kanduli
and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)
 Figure 7
Photographic Presentation of the Site Where Characterization Test was Done
5. Characterization Test

The process was done at the laboratory of the Department of Energy

(DOE) Taguig City Metro Manila.

6. Analysis of Data

After the characterization test, the researchers acquired the result of the

analysis and interpret the data.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Transesterification Process of Kanduli Oil

a. In transestifying the kanduli to obtain Fatty Acid Methyl Ester the following

procedure was applied;

Methods;
 1. Melting of sample and removal of unmelted sediments.

2. Conduct free Fatty Acid (FFA) Value determination of the oil.

3. 1st stage Transesterification process using acid catalyst.

4. 2nd and 3rd Transesterification process using base catalyst.

Transesterification Process of Big Head Carp

1. Acid due to Determination of the fish oil using ADCS Method of Analysis.

2. Transesterification process of the fish oil

The level of fatty acid methyl ester yield from kanduli oil and Big Head

Table 1

Obtained Level of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Yield from Kanduli Oil.

Oil (wt) g Fatty Acid Methyl Fatty Acid Methyl

Sample Ester (wt) g. Ester Yield (%)

Kanduli Sample 386.1 272.0 70.4

Big Head Sample 823.50 712.5 86.5

Source: DOST-ITDI Accomplishment Report

The Capability Level of Kanduli Fatty Acid Methyl Ester with Respect to Different
Biodiesel Testing Methods.

Table 2
Capability Specification of Kanduli Fatty Acid methyl Ester as Biodiesel
Test/Analysis Sample Fatty Result/s PNS Limit Remarks
Acid Methyl
Ester
Kanduli Fatty
Copper Strip Acid Methyl
Corrosion, 3 Ester 1a
hrs at 50
Degrees Big Head Max of 1 Passed
Celsius Carp Fatty
Acid Methyl 1a
Ester
Kanduli Fatty
Kinematic Acid Methyl
Viscosity at Ester 4.42
49oC, mm2/s
Big Head 2.0-4.5 Passed
Carp Fatty
Acid Methyl 4.09
Ester
Kanduli Fatty
Acid Methyl
Sulfur, Ester 0.01 0.050 Passed
%mass
Big Head
Carp Fatty
Acid Methyl 0.0002
Ester
Kanduli Fatty
total Acid Methyl
Glycerine, Ester 0.13 0.25 Passed
%mass
Big Head
Carp Fatty
Acid Methyl 0.53 Not
Ester
Passed

Source: Department of Energy Laboratory Test Result

The Significant Difference on the Philippine Standard for Biofuels and the
Produced Fatty Acid Methyl Ester from Kanduli and Big Head Carp in Terms of the
Respective Biodiesel Testing methods

Table 3
Significant Difference on the Philippine National Standard for biofuels and the Produced
Fatty Acid Methyl Ester from Kanduli and Big Head Carp

Source SS Df MS F p-value Ho VI
of
Varince
Between 0.180754 2 0.090377 0.027677
Groups 0.972785 A NS
Within 29.38921 9 3.265468 3.265468
Groups

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions formulated.

1. Big Head Carp oil produced a high level of fatty acid methyl ester than Kanduli

Oil in accordance with Philippine National Standards.

2. In accordance with Philippine National Standard biodiesel capability test and

the result of the method applied, kanduli fatty acid methyl ester passed the

following tests: Copper Strip Corrosion, Kinematic Viscosity, Sulfur Content

and total glycerine. Moreover Big Head Carp fatty acid methyl ester passed the

following tests: Copper Strip Corrosion, Kinematic Viscosity and Sulfur Content

but with high measure of total glycerine found that used in the conduct of the

study which did not pass the requirements of the method applied for Philippine

National Standard biodiesel.

 3. There is no significant difference on the Philippine National Standard for

biofuels and the capability level of produced Fatty Acid Methyl Ester kanduli

and Big Head Carp as biodiesel in terms of the respective methods.

Recommendations

Based from the conclusions drawn, the following recommendations hereby

suggested:

1. Specific extraction process should be identify for the good quality of oil

extracted from kanduli.

2. Oil should be transestify immediately after the extraction.

3. Subject the obtained methyl ester from kanduli and Big Head Carp to Fatty Acid

Lipid Profile to determine its components and prior to its other potential uses.

4. The use of the abdominal parts of the kanduli and Big Head Carp for further

experiments regarding its oil is recommended because of the high oil yield from

the abdominal parts of the fish.

5. Test the potential of kanduli and Big Head oil as cooking oil.

6. Conduct further study involving the family of oily fishes.

Reference

El-Mashad et al., A two –Step process for biodiesel production from salmon oil, 3
December 2007
Dr. Maria Natalia R. Dimaano , Fuel Crisis and disaster mitigation: Coping with
Changing times, Page 105
Global Bioenergy Industry News, Biofuel from Bamboo, February 06 2009
THE TIMES OF INDIA Now, biofuel from banana peels, October 21 2007