Biotech Updates

Researchers Evaluate Biodiesel Production from Tilapia Oil

November 12, 2014
http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=3&id=72487&l=e&country=0&special=&ndb=1&df=0

Scientists at the State University of West Paraná (UNIOESTE) evaluated tilapia oil's potential in producing biodiesel.

Fish oil production is an alternative technology to use the waste generated from tilapia processing, such as guts, fins, heads, skin, scales and mixed wastes. Researchers led by Gislaine Iastiaque Martins used tilapia waste from Cooperativa Agroindustrial Consolata (COPACOL) for their study.

The tests performed revealed that tilapia viscera contain 22% oil while the waste mixture had 6.12%. However, the acidity of the oils was unsuitable for biodiesel production. This made it necessary for neutralization before being converted into biodiesel.