The potential of nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L.) seed oil as biodiesel feedstock: effect of seed moisture content and particle size on oil yield

Nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L.) is one of the most potential plants for biodiesel feedstock because of its high oil content. Mechanical extraction using screw press is one method to get oil from nyamplung seed. Result of the extraction is affected by the seed's condition, such as moisture content and particle size. The paper presents experimental results that estimate the vegetable oil production potential of C. inophyllum. The results show the effect of C. inophyllum seed moisture content and particle size on oil yield, andthe characteristics of C. inophyllum oil. The seed moisture contents used in this experiment are 0%, 1.2%, and 20%, whereas the average seed particle size used are 0.81, 2.90, and 8.60 mm. The C. inophyllum fruits were obtained from Cipatujah Sub-district, Tasikmalaya Regency. The methods used include fruit and seed preparation, seed moisture content and particle size conditioning, mechanical extraction, oil characteristics analysis, and C. inophyllum oil production potential calculation. The optimum seed moisture content to obtain high oil yield is 1.2% which yields 33.39% oil, while the optimum seed particle size to obtain high oil yield is 8.60 mm which yields 33.46% oil. The bigger the particle size will affect on higher oil yield. From this research, it can be concluded that the trees in Cipatujahhave potential to produce C. inophyllum oil up to 5.13 L/tree/year. C. inophyllum oil yield is effected by seed moisture content and particle size, and it has characteristics that support its utilization as biodiesel feedstock. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.