Analysis of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME)

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) are esters of fatty acids. The physical properties of fatty acid esters are closer to those of fossil diesel fuels than of pure vegetable oils, but their properties depend on the type of vegetable oil. A mixture of different fatty acid methyl esters is commonly referred to as biodiesel, a renewable alternative fuel. FAME has similar physical properties to conventional diesel. It is also non-toxic and biodegradable.

Some properties of biodiesel differ from fossil diesel and require a different set of additives than fossil diesel for correct low temperature behavior and slowing down oxidation processes. Impurities such as metals in FAME should be restricted for use as motor fuel.

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) are obtained by transesterification from vegetable oils, animal fats or waste edible oils. In the transesterification process, a glyceride reacts with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst to form a mixture of fatty acids esters and an alcohol. The use of triglycerides results in the production of glycerol. This process is a reversible reaction and is carried out by mixing the reactants. A strong base or a strong acid is used as the catalyst. On an industrial scale, mostly sodium or potassium methanolate is used.

Biodiesel production is technically quite simple. Rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, palm oils and animal fats are the most widely used raw materials in biodiesel production. The use of methanol in the transesterification process has the advantage that the resulting glycerol can be simultaneously separated during this process. When ethanol is used in the process, the ethanol must be water-free and the oil must also have a low water content to achieve an easy glycerol separation.

The end products of the transesterification process are crude biodiesel and crude glycerol. After a cleaning step, biodiesel is produced. Purified glycerol is used in the food and cosmetic industries.IR.

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) analysis is an important tool for both characterizing fats and determining the total fat content in foods. In this method, oils are extracted from a matrix using a non-polar solvent and saponified to produce salts of free fatty acids.

Our organization also provides fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) analysis services with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.