Preparation of Fame by Microwave Irradiation Using Boron Trifluoride as a Catalyst

• Published in: American journal of analytical chemistry Vol. 3; no. 4; pp. 288 - 294
• Main Authors: Fiori Zara, Ricardo, Guntendorfer Bonafé, Elton, Antunes Martin, Clayton, Evelázio de Souza, Nilson, Curti Muniz, Edvani, Vergílio Visentainer, Jesuí
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Boron; Esters; Fatty acids; Heating; Irradiation; Methyl alcohol; Microwaves; Transesterification
• ISSN: 2156-8251; 2156-8278
• DOI: 10.4236/ajac.2012.34039

Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) preparation is an important step to determine fatty acid composition of oils and fats. Transesterification with boron trifluoride (BF sub( 3)) in methanol has been widely used; however, the transesterification of triacylglycerols usually involves a long heating time, whereas much shorter reaction times may be sufficient when microwave irradiation is used. The purpose of this paper was to optimize FAME preparation with BF sub( 3) by microwave irradiation. A three-factor central composite routable (CCRD) design was used to study the effect of the heating time (A), irradiation power (B), and volume of sodium hydroxide (C) on FAME concentration. A second-order polynomial model was employed to generate a surface response. Optimum conditions obtained for FAME preparation were time of 60 s, irradiation power of 220 W, and base volume of 1.5 mL. Compared to conventional methods, the advantages of this method are the quick result and the accuracy.