Feed oils, free fatty acids presence

Although there are numerous publications on the effect of natural and synthetic antioxidants on the stability of oils and fats used as food and feed, until recently relatively little publicly available information was available on the effect of antioxidants on the oxidative stability of biodiesel. One of the earliest studies reporting of the effects of antioxidants on biodiesel was that of Du Plessis et aL (1985), which examined storage stability of sunflower oil methyl esters (SFME) at various temperatures for 90 d. Effects of air temperature, presence of light, addition of TBHQ (see Figure 1.1) and contact with steel were evaluated by analysis of free fatty acid content, PV, kinematic viscosity, anisidine value, and induction period. Addition of TBHQ delayed oxidation of samples stored at moderate temperatures (<30°C). In contrast, under unfavorable (50°C) conditions, TBHQ was ineffective. 

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