A matéria-prima na produção de biodiesel corresponde a mais que 70% do seu custo e o estudo de viabilidade tecnológica e econômica das diferentes matérias-primas se reveste de enorme importância. A extração do óleo de soja com solvente etanol resulta em duas miscelas, uma rica em óleo (miscela rica) e outra rica em etanol (miscela pobre). A miscela pobre pode ser reutilizada no processo de extração e a miscela rica pode ser utilizada diretamente sem a necessidade de dessolventização e de etapas de refino. A miscela rica em óleo foi esterificada por dois processos diferentes: químico e enzimático, com diferentes concentrações em razão molar (óleo:etanol), diferentes temperaturas e catalisadores básico (NaOH) ou enzimático (Novozym®435), buscando o maior rendimento em ésteres etilícos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o rendimento de ésteres etílicos aplicando enzimas imobilizadas Novozym®435 e um catalisador básico (NaOH) e analisar a viabilidade energética da produção de biodiesel a partir da transesterificação da miscela rica (óleo:etanol) em óleo de soja, sem necessidade de refino do óleo. Foi adotado o planejamento experimental e análise de superfícies de resposta para a seleção das melhores condições de processo, tendo como variáveis respostas o rendimento e a qualidade do biodiesel. Foram realizados ensaios de esterificação via enzimática e química. A reutilização da enzima foi estudada através da lavagem com diferentes solventes (etanol 96%, isopropanol e terc-butanol) e reações de transesterificação na presença do co-solvente terc-butanol. A produção de ésteres em miscelas permitiu a comparação dos custos entre o processo de catálise enzimática e catálise química com base na análise dos fluxos de materiais e energia. A miscela rica foi obtida após três banhos com miscela pobre e um último banho com etanol 99% (v/v), apresentando eficiência de 83% e um teor de óleo residual no farelo de 4,2%. Em sua composição, a miscela rica apresentou 90% em óleo de soja e até 7% de etanol. A transesterificação de miscela rica com catalisador NaOH foi otimizada e apresentou rendimento de ésteres etílicos (RE) 97,2% nas condições experimentais de: razão molar 1:12, concentração de catalisador 0,67% e temperatura de 30ºC. Na transesterificação enzimática, o rendimento máximo foi de 85% nas condições reacionais de razão molar 1:4,5, concentração de catalisador 9,5% e temperatura de 40ºC. A Novozym®435 não foi recuperada com sucessivas lavagens dos solventes. Entretanto, o terc-butanol como co-solvente aumentou o rendimento de ésteres para 94%. A análise dos fluxos de energia demonstrou que o a obtenção da matéria-prima (laminação e extração) foi a etapa que mais demandou energia. A produção de miscela rica em escala semi-piloto demandou mais energia que a de óleo refinado, porém, a etapa de transesterificação a partir de miscela rica, utilizando o catalisador químico, demandou menos energia comparada ao processo com catalisador enzimático e o convencional com metanol e etanol. A esterificação de miscela rica é energeticamente viável, entretanto, com um scale up adequado, a etapa de extração com etanol deve ser ajustada para viabilizar energeticamente a cadeia de produção de biodiesel por esta via alternativa. / The feedstock for biodiesel production represents more than 70% of the cost and technological and economic feasibility studies of different oil sources are of enormous importance. The extraction of soybean oil with ethanol solvent results in two miscella, one rich in oil (rich miscellae) and another rich in ethanol (poor miscellae). The poor miscellae can be reused in the extraction process and the rich miscellae can be used directly without dessolventizing and refining stages. The oil rich miscellae was esterified by two different processes: chemical and enzymatic, with different concentrations in the molar ratio (oil: ethanol), different temperatures and either basic catalyst (NaOH) or an enzyme (Novozym®435), searching for the highest production of ethyl esters. The study goal was to prove the feasibility of producing biodiesel from the transesterification of rich miscellae (oilethanol) in soybean oil, without oil refining and evaluating the performance of ethyl esters by applying immobilized enzymes Novozym®435 and a basic catalyst (NaOH). We adopted the experimental design and the surface response methodology for the best selection of process conditions, with the response variables the yield and the quality of biodiesel. Chemical and enzymatic esterification trials were conducted. The reuse of enzyme was studied by washing with different solvents (96% ethanol, isopropanol and tert-butanol) and the transesterification reaction in the presence of the co-solvent tert-butanol. The production of esters by enzymes in the miscellae allowed a comparison of the costs between the enzymatic and chemical catalysis process based on the energy flow analysis. The rich miscellae was obtained after three baths employing the poor miscellae and a last fourth bath with ethanol 99% (v/v), presenting efficiency of 83% and a residual meal oil content of 4.2%. In its composition, the rich miscellae showed 90% of soybean oil and up to 7% ethanol. The transesterification of the rich miscellae with NaOH catalyst was optimized and had a ethyl esters yield (RE) of 97.2% under the experimental conditions of: 1:12 molar ratio, catalyst concentration 0.67% and temperature 30° C. For the enzymatic transesterification, the maximum yield was 85% for the reaction conditions: molar ratio 1:4.5, catalyst concentration 9.5% and temperature 40° C. Novozym®435 was not recovered with successive washes of the solvents. However, the tertbutanol as a co-solvent increased the yield of esters to 94%. The energy flow analysis showed that obtaining the raw material (flaking and extraction) was the most energy demanding. The rich miscellae from the semi-pilot plant demanded more energy than the refined oil, however, the transesterification of the rich miscellae using chemical catalyst, required less energy compared to the enzymatic catalysis and the conventional process methanol and ethanol. The esterification of rich miscellae is feasible energetically, however, the extraction step with ethanol should be adjusted to enable energetically the chain of biodiesel production.

Esta tese está dividida em duas partes. Na Parte I, blendas de polietileno maleado (M-PE) e butirato acetato de celulose (CAB) (5-50% em massa) e compósitos de polietileno (PE) ou M-PE e 20% em massa de celulose, acetato de celulose (CA), propionato acetato de celulose (CAP) ou CAB foram preparados em um misturador. As estruturas e propriedades das misturas foram estudadas através de ensaios mecânicos, calorimetria exploratória diferencial, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, extração com solvente seletivo seguida de espectroscopia FTIR e difração de raios-X (XRD). As blendas M-PE/CAB e os compósitos PE/polissacarídeo e M-PE/polissacarídeo não apresentaram mudanças significativas nos valores da temperatura de fusão (Tm) quando comparados aos valores de Tm do PE e do M-PE. Dados de XRD mostraram que a adição das cargas não causou mudança na estrutura cristalina do PE ou M-PE, mas aumentou a região amorfa dos materiais, indicado que a miscibilidade ocorre na parte amorfa do PE. Compósitos preparados com M-PE apresentaram tensão no escoamento e elongação superiores do que os preparados com PE, evidenciando o efeito compatibilizante do anidrido maléico. Na parte II, o efeito de dois bons solventes, acetona e acetato de etila, nas características e propriedades superficiais dos filmes finos (50nm&#60;espessura<200nm) e ultrafinos (espessura<6nm) de CA, CAP ou CAB preparados por revestimento rotacional ou adsorção, respectivamente, foram caracterizados por elipsometria, microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e medidas de ângulo de contato. Os resultados foram discutidos baseados na taxa de evaporação do solvente e na energia de interação substrato-solvente. Os efeitos do recozimento e do tipo de éster de celulose na espessura, morfologia e molhabilidade da superfície foram investigados. Após o recozimento, os filmes ultrafinos de ésteres de celulose tornam-se hidrofóbicos, indicando uma reorientação molecular na interface sólido-ar. Os filmes ultrafinos preparados a partir de soluções de acetona são estáveis, enquanto que os preparados a partir de soluções de acetato de etila apresentaram dewetting. A estabilidade dos filmes foi monitorada por AFM e explicada pelos valores da constante de Hamaker, determinados pela primeira vez para estes materiais. A imobilização de lipase sobre os filmes ultrafinos estáveis de CA, CAP e CAB com e sem recozimento foi quantificada para avaliar a possibilidade de aplicação destes filmes como substratos para biomoléculas. A adsorção de lipase sobre os filmes de CA e CAP com recozimento foi mais pronunciada do que nos mesmos filmes sem recozimento. A atividade enzimática da lipase foi avaliada com medidas espectrofotométricas do produto formado a partir da hidrólise do para-nitrofenol dodecanoato. A lipase imobilizada sobre os filmes mais hidrofóbicos apresentou uma atividade maior do que a lipase livre e manteve a atividade alta após três usos. As amostras foram estocadas por até 30 dias. A lipase imobilizada sobre os filmes mais hidrofóbicos manteve 70% da sua atividade, e a lipase imobilizada sobre os filmes mais hidrofílicos manteve apenas 30% da atividade. Estes resultados indicaram que preservação da estrutura conformacional da enzima foi favorecida pela hidrofobicidade do substrato polimérico e interações entre os resíduos polares da lipase e as partes de glucopiranosil dos ésteres de celulose. / This thesis is divided into two parts. In the first part, blends of maleated polyethylene (M-PE) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) (5-50wt%) and composites of polyethylene (PE) or M-PE and 20wt% of cellulose, cellulose acetate (CA) or cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) were prepared in an laboratory mixer. The mixtures structures and properties have been studied by means of tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and extraction with a selective solvent followed by Raman spectroscopy. No significant change on the melting temperature (Tm) values obtained for M-PE/CAB blends or PE/polysaccharides or M-PE/polysaccharides composites could be observed, when compared with the Tm values obtained for PE and M-PE. X-ray diffraction showed that the addition of the polysaccharides had no influence on the lattice constants of PE or M-PE, but it increased the PE amorphous region, indicating that the miscibility happens on the amorphous region of the PE. Composites prepared with M-PE presented yield stress and elongation values higher than those prepared with PE, showing the compatibilizer effect of maleic anhydride. In the second part, the effect of two good solvents, acetone and ethyl acetate, on the characteristics and surface properties of thin (30nm&#60;thickness<200nm) and ultrathin (thickness<6nm) cellulose ester films obtained by spin coating or adsorption, respectively, has been investigated by means of ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle measurements. The results were discussed in the light of solvent evaporation rate and interaction energy between substrate and solvent. The effects of annealing and type of cellulose ester on film thickness, film morphology and surface wettability were also studied. Upon annealing, ultrathin films of cellulose ester became hydrophobic, evidencing molecular re-orientation at the solid-air interface. Ultrathin films prepared from acetone solutions are stable, but the ones prepared from ethyl acetate solutions presented dewetting. Film stability was followed by AFM and explained with basis on the Hamaker constant values, calculated for the first time for CA, CAP and CAB. The adsorption of lipase onto stable ultrathin films of cellulose esters, with and without annealing, was quantified in order to evaluate the possibility of applying such films as support for biomolecules. Lipase adsorption onto annealed CA and CAP films was more pronounced than that onto CA and CAP untreated films. Enzymatic activity was evaluated by the spectrophotometric measurement of the product formed from the hydrolysis of para-nitrophenyl dodecanoate. Lipase immobilized onto more hydrophobic films presented higher activity than free lipase and could be reused three times retaining activity at a high level. The effect of storing time on the activity of immobilized lipase was studied. Lipase immobilized onto more hydrophobic films retained 70% of activity after one month, reaching the same level of activity of free lipase, and lipase immobilized onto more hydrophilic films retained just 30% of activity after 30 days. These results indicated that enzyme preservation was favored by polymeric substrate hydrophobicity and by the interactions between the polar residues of lipase and the glucopyranosyl moieties of cellulose ester.

Les polymères à empreintes moléculaires (MIP) sont des matériaux synthétiques capables de mimer les anticorps biologiques. En effet, ils possèdent deux des principales caractéristiques de ces derniers, à savoir : la capacité de reconnaître et de se lier spécifiquement à des molécules cibles. De plus, leur synthèse facile, leur bas coût de production, leur haute spécificité et stabilité par rapport aux anticorps naturels font des MIP une alternative intéressante. En effet, les propriétés de reconnaissance moléculaire des MIP permettent d'envisager leur utilisation dans une vaste gamme d’applications. Ils sont ainsi largement exploités dans les sciences séparatives pour l'analyse d'échantillons environnementaux ou agro-alimentaires, ou comme élément de reconnaissance dans des biocapteurs. Récemment, des applications de ces matériaux dans les domaines biologiques et biomédicaux ont émergé comme pour la détection, l'extraction et l"élimination de molécules indésirables dans l'organisme, la vectorisation ou l'administration contrôlée des médicaments. Dans nos recherches, nous avons développé des MIP dégradables par voie biochimique ou enzymatique, ayant une application potentielle en tant que système de libération contrôlé de molécules. En général, les MIPs sont synthétisés par polymérisation radicalaire libre en utilisant une formulation composée de monomères fonctionnels, d'agents de réticulation, et d'une molécule cible servant à réaliser l'empreinte moléculaire. Dans ce travail de thèse, nous avons utilisé pour la synthèse de MIP dégradable des agents de réticulation clivables contenant, soit une fonction chimique dégradable par voie chimique ou enzymatique (ponts disulfures et phosphatediester), soit un disaccharide issus d'agro-ressources et pouvant être naturellement hydrolysé par des enzymes. En présence d'un réactif spécifique (agent réducteur ou enzyme), les liaisons dites "sensibles" aux réactifs chimiques ou enzymatiques peuvent être clivées, ce qui entraîne une dégradation de la matrice polymérique. Le polymère perdra alors sa capacité de reconnaissance et de liaison à la molécule cible et permettra la libération de celle-ci. Nous pensons donc, que les nouveaux MIP dégradables pourraient avoir un énorme potentiel comme vecteurs "intelligents" dans des applications médicales tels que les systèmes de libération contrôlée de médicament. Finalement, nous avons étudié la dégradation par des microorganismes de la structure de base de ce type de polymères, en utilisant comme modèles des chaines linéaires et réticulées. / Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are biomimetic synthetic receptors that possess two of the most important features of biological antibodies – the ability to recognize and bind specific target molecules. Owing to their easier preparation, lower cost, higher specifity and stability compared to antibodies, they have the potential to be widely applied for environemental and food analysis. Recently, MIPs also emerged in the biochemical field as diagnostic tools, chemicals traps to remove undesirable substance from the body, or drug delivery systems, where usually the combination of biocompatibility and degradability after its use is desirable. Here, we developed biochemically or enzymatically degradable MIPs, which have potential applications as activation-modulated drug delivery systems. In general, MIPs are prepared by radical polymerization of functional monomers and cross-linkers in the presence of a target molecule acting as template. Degradable MIPs were synthesized using cleavable cross-linkers containing a degradable group (disulfide bond or phosphate ester bond) or derived from a natural disaccharide. In the presence of a cleaving reagent (reducing agent or enzyme), the chemo or enzyme-sensitive bond could be cleaved, resulting in the degradation of the polymer matrix. The degraded polymers looses the binding sites structure resulting in the loss of recognition and binding capacity towards the target molecules, and thus in the release of bound molecules. These degradable MIPs provide new opportunities as “smart” vectors for controlled delivery of active molecules in biomedical applications. Finally, the biodegradation of the polymer backbone by bacteria was investigated.

In this thesis a methodology to synthesize anti-β-hydroxy-α-amino esters possessing olefins has been investigated. The developed procedures originate from two already established procedures in which α-amido-β-keto esters, which do not contain olefins, has been stereoselectively reduced to the corresponding anti-β-hydroxy-α-amino alcohols via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation coupled with dynamic kinetic resolution. Both established methods, one solvent free and one emulsion procedure, have been investigated on the expanded substrate scoop. Four different α-amido-β-keto ester containing olefins were tested and it was found that the ketones were reduced to desired anti-β-hydroxy-α-amino esters in both procedures, but also side products were formed where the olefins were reduced. The ratio of the different products was dependent on the structure of the starting α-amido-β-keto ester, ligand used on the catalyst and reaction conditions such as number of equivalents of base and reaction temperature. The diastereoselectivity for the desired products was in favor of the anti stereoisomer, however, the dr was worse than in the established procedures. The usefulness of this methodology was then demonstrated by a formal total synthesis of Sphingosine.

Des polyacides lactiques hydroxy téléchélique de masses molaires variées ont été synthétisés par polymérisation par ouverture de cycle du LLA en présence de 1,4 -butane diol. Des polyhydroxybutyrate hydroxy téléchéliques ont été préparés transesterification du PHB et du 1,4-butanediol catalysée par l'acide p-toluène sulfonique .Ces oligomères ont été utilisés pour préparer des polyesters amides fonctionnalisés acrylates ou mercaptans. Dans une approche parallèle, du PCL multi acrylate a été préparé avec succès par copolymérisation par ouverture de cycle de méthacrylate de glycidyle avec du caprolactone. Des copolymères (GMA -co- CL) ayant des masses molaire et de la fonctionnalité variables, ont été préparés en modifiant les paramètres de la réaction tels que le catalyseur, la nature du co-amorceur et le rapport des stœchiométriques des différents réactifs. Les polymères multi acrylates ont été copolymérisés principalement avec l'HEMA sous irradiation UV pour obtenir des réseaux PLA, PHB et PCL segmentés. Les mécanismes de dégradation de ces réseaux ont été étudiés en examinant particulièrement les décompositions des liaisons uréthanes et esters. Des dépolymérisations du PHEMA ont été détectées avec TGA -FTIR à plus haute température (450°C). Pour les réseaux à base de PCL, les propriétés thermo -mécaniques ont été étudiées. Le résultat montre que les phases riches en PCL ont une bonne compatibilité avec le poly HEMA. Les modules caoutchoutiques et l’étendue des températures des zones d’amortissement peuvent être contrôlées en fonction des paramètres réactionnels. Les Polymères multifonctionnels Thiols du PCL, PHA et PLA ont été utilisés pour faire croître des chaines méthacrylates et construire des polymères de type étoile / Hydroxyl telechelic polylactic acids of various molecular weights were synthesized by ring opening polymerization in the presence of LLA and 1,4-butanediol. Telechelic hydroxy polyhydroxybutyrate were prepared transesterification of PHB and 1,4- butanediol catalyzed by p- toluene sulfonic acid. These oligomers were used to prepare polyesteramides functionalised acrylates or mercaptans. In a parallel approach, the PCL multi acrylate was successfully prepared by ring-opening copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate with caprolactone. Copolymers (GMA-co-CL) with variable molar masses and functionality were prepared by changing the reaction parameters such as catalyst, the nature of the co-initiator and the ratio of different stoichiometric reagents. Multi-acrylated polymers were copolymerized with HEMA under UV irradiation to obtain PLA, PHB and PCL segmented networks. Degradation mechanisms of these networks have been studied by examining particular decomposition of urethane bonds and esters. Depolymerization of the PHEMA was detected with TGA -FTIR at higher temperature (450°C). For PCL based networks, the thermo- mechanical properties were studied. The result shows that the PCL-rich phases have good compatibility with poly HEMA. The rubber and the working temperature range of the damping zones modules can be controlled as a function of reaction parameters. Multi mercapto functionalized polymers with PCL, PLA and PHA segments were used to grow methacrylate polymer chains and build star type

The effects of vapor-grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF) weight fraction, applied stress, and temperature on the viscoelastic responses (creep strain, creep rate, and creep compliance) of VGCNF/vinyl ester (VE) nanocomposites were studied using a central composite design (CCD). The nanocomposite test articles were fabricated by high shear mixing, casting, curing, and post-curing in an open face mold under a nitrogen environment. Short-term creep/creep recovery experiments were conducted at prescribed combinations of temperatures (23.8 – 69.2 C), applied stresses (30.2 – 49.8 MPa), and VGCNF weight fractions (0.00 – 1.00 parts of VGCNF per hundred parts of resin, phr) determined from the CCD. The response surface models (RSMs) for predicting these viscoelastic responses were developed using the least squares method and an analysis of variance procedure. The response surface estimates indicate that increasing the VGCNF weight fraction decreases the creep resistance of the VGCNF/VE nanocomposites at high temperatures (46.5 – 69.2 C).

No description available.

No description available.

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (OxLDL) mediate many of the pathological events associated with atherosclerosis. Oxysterols, the major cytotoxic component of OxLDL, induce apoptosis in macrophages by a calcium flux mediated activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 resulting in the release of arachidonic acid (AA). Inhibition of AA metabolism has been shown to protect macrophages from oxysterol-induced apoptosis. The current study explores the steps in the oxysterol-induced apoptosis signaling pathway in murine macrophages subsequent to the liberation of AA. To elucidate this mechanism, two oxysterols, 7-ketocholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC), were used to induce apoptosis in murine macrophage cell lines (P388D1, and Raw 264.7) and mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs). Pharmacological inhibition of eicosanoid synthesis or genetic knockout of important eicosanoid biosynthetic genes had no significant effect on the induction of apoptosis by oxysterols in macrophages. The induction of apoptosis in macrophage cell lines and MPMs by oxysterols and OxLDL was suppressed by Sandoz 58-035, an inhibitor of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). Furthermore, in comparison to wild-type MPMs, ACAT-1 deficient MPMs were found to be resistant to apoptosis induced by oxysterols or OxLDL. Macrophages treated with 7KC accumulated ACAT-derived cholesteryl and 7-ketocholesteryl esters. An inhibitor of cholesterol trafficking, U18666A, specifically prevented the accumulation of cholesteryl esters, but not 7-ketocholesteryl esters nor the induction of apoptosis. An inhibitor of cPLA2 prevented the accumulation of 7-ketocholesteryl esters. This inhibition was reversed by supplementing oleic acid or AA; however, only AA supplementation restored the induction of apoptosis. These results suggest that oxysterols not only initiate the apoptosis pathway by activating cPLA2, but also participate in the downstream signaling pathway when esterified by ACAT to form arachidonyl oxysterols. We also demonstrate that macrophages lacking the cannabinoid type-2 (CB2) receptor have reduced levels of apoptosis when treated with oxysterols or OxLDL in comparison to wild-type macrophages and that a CB2 specific antagonist blocks oxysterol-induced apoptosis in macrophages suggesting that the CB2 receptor is involved in this pathway, perhaps by interacting with the arachidonyl oxysterols.

In the production of biodiesel via the transesterification of vegetable oils, purification to international standards is challenging. A key measure of biodiesel quality is the level of free glycerol in the biodiesel. In order to remove glycerol from fatty acid methyl ester (FAME or biodiesel), a membrane separation setup was tested. The main objective of this thesis was to develop a membrane process for the separation of free glycerol dispersed in FAME after completion of the transesterification reaction and to investigate the effect of different factors on glycerol removal. These factors included membrane pore size, pressure, temperature, and methanol, soap and water content. First, a study of the effect of different materials present in the transesterification reaction, such as water, soap, and methanol, on the final free glycerol separation was performed using a modified polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membrane, with 100 kD (ultrafiltration) molecular weight cut off for all runs at 25°C. Results showed low concentrations of water had a considerable effect in removing glycerol from the FAME. The mechanism of separation of free glycerol from FAME was due to the removal of an ultrafine dispersed glycerol-rich phase present in the untreated (or raw) FAME. The size of the droplets and the free glycerol separation both increased with increasing water content of the FAME. Next, three types of polymeric membranes in the ultrafiltration range with different molecular weight cut off, were tested at three fixed operating pressures and three operating temperatures (0, 5 and 25oC) to remove the free glycerol from a biodiesel reactor effluent. The ASTM standard for free glycerol concentration was met for the experiments performed at 25°C. The results of this study indicate that glycerol could be separated from raw FAME to meet ASTM and EN standards at methanol feed concentrations of up to 3 mass%. The process was demonstrated to rely on the formation of a dynamic polar layer on the membrane surface. Ceramic membranes of different pore sizes (0.05 µm (ultrafiltration (UF) range) and 0.2 µm (microfiltration (MF) range)) were used to treat raw FAME directly using the membrane separation set up at temperatures of 0, 5 and 25°C. The results were encouraging for the 0.05 µm pore size membrane at the highest temperature (25°C). The effect of temperature on glycerol removal was evident from its relation with the concentration factor (CF). Higher temperatures promoted the achievement of the appropriate CF value sooner for faster separation. Membrane pore size was also found to affect separation performance. A subsequent study revealed the effect of different variables on the size of the glycerol droplets using dynamic light scattering (DLS). A key parameter in the use of membrane separation technology is the size of the glycerol droplets and the influence of other components such as water, methanol and soaps on that droplet size. The effect of water, methanol, soap and glycerol on the size of suspended glycerol droplets in FAME was studied using a 3-level Box-Behnken experimental design technique. Standard statistical analysis techniques revealed the significant effect of water and glycerol on increasing droplet size while methanol and soap served to reduce the droplet size. Finally, a study on the effect of trans-membrane pressure (TMP) at different water concentrations in the FAME phase on glycerol removal using UF (0.03 µm pore size, polyethersulfone (PES)) and MF (0.1 and 0.22 µm pore sizes, PES) membranes at 25, 40 and 60°C was performed. Results showed that running at 25°C for the two membrane types produced the best results for glycerol removal and exceeded the ASTM and EN standards. An enhancement of glycerol removal was found by adding small amounts of water up to the maximum solubility limit in biodiesel. An increase in temperature resulted in an increase in the solubility of water in the FAME and less effective glycerol removal. Application of cake filtration theory and a gel layer model showed that the gel layer on the membrane surface is not compressible and the specific cake resistance and gel layer concentration decrease with increasing temperature. An approximate value for the limiting (steady-state) flux was reported and it was found that the highest fluxes were obtained at the lowest initial water concentrations at fixed temperatures. In conclusion, dispersed glycerol can be successfully removed from raw FAME (untreated FAME) using a membrane separation system to meet the ASTM biodiesel fuel standards. The addition of water close to the solubility limit to the FAME mixture enables the formation of larger glycerol droplets and makes the separation of these droplets straightforward.