A single-step, extractive reaction for extraction of lipids such as biodiesel components, omega-3 fatty acids, or other triglycerides from microbial cells was examined. Conventional methods for lipid extraction use toxic solvents, and require multiple steps and long processing times. When the goal is to produce fatty acid methyl esters or FAMEs, the extracted lipids are subjected to a separate transesterification reaction with simple alcohols in the presence of an acid or base catalyst. A simplified, single-step reactive extraction method can be applied that combines the sequential extraction followed by transesterification using acidified alcohols - a process known as in situ transesterification. It was hypothesized that the in situ transesterification could be scaled-up for industrial processing by a systematic understanding of fundamental reaction parameters including temperature, catalyst concentration, and biomass/solvent ratios. The hypothesis was tested using a marine fungus, Schizochytrium limacinum SR21. Growth of SR21 resulted in biomass yields of 0.3g-biomass/g-glycerol and accumulated high amounts of palmitic acid (C16:0, 0.255g-FAME/g-biomass), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, 0.185g-FAME/g-biomass), myristic acid (C14:0) (0.017g-FAME/g-biomass), and pentadecanoic acid (C15:0, 0.012g-FAME/g-biomass). The bulk phase separation characteristics of the FAMEs were evaluated at high biomass concentrations. Recyclability of the acidified methanol in the system was also tested. A significant finding was that automatic phase separation of the FAMEs could be achieved. When FAME concentration reaches critical solubility, 22.7mg-FAME ml-1 methanol, all remaining FAMEs automatically phase separate. After FAME separation, the remaining methanol was recycled and used in subsequent in situ reactions. Upon recycling, greater than 85% of product extraction and recovery was achieved. The kinetics of the transesterification reaction was evaluated under various acid and biomass/solvent conditions. Based on the fundamental reaction mechanism governing the in situ transesterification, a theoretic model was derived to predict the conversion of TAGs into FAMEs. Kinetic parameters were estimated by fitting the experimental data and the resulting model. The model derived closely resembled the observations in this study. Through understanding of the fundamental reaction kinetics and limitations during processing, a new, reliable, and cost-effective system for large scale lipid production can be developed for microbial biomass including oleaginous algae, fungi, and yeast.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第20404号 / 工博第4341号 / 新制||工||1673(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科高分子化学専攻 / (主査)教授 澤本 光男, 教授 中條 善樹, 教授 竹中 幹人 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

This work describes how a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) derived from a vegetable oil can be introduced as reactive diluent in a solvent-borne thermally cured coil-coating system. The evaluated reactive diluent, rape seed methyl ester (RME), has been evaluated both in a fully formulated clear coat system and via model studies. A reactive diluent is a compound that acts as a solvent in the liquid paint, lowering the viscosity, and chemically reacts into the final film during cure. Introduction of a reactive diluent derived from vegetable oil give a more environmental compliant coating since a renewable material is incorporated in the coating and the amount of traditional solvent can be decreased. These positive environmental factors have increased the industrial interest. The fully formulated clear coat studies describes how addition of reactive diluent affects rheological properties of the wet paint, film formation, incorporation, and final film properties in a hydroxyl-functional polyester/melamine coil-coating system. The coating were cured under industrial coil-coating cure conditions and analyzed with Raman, carbon-14 dating, extraction, dynamic mechanical analysis, and visually observed. Viscosity measurement of the wet paint show that RME works as a diluent. RME increase the mobility in the system enhancing the film formation process and occurrence of defect-free films. The incorporation of RME could not be confirmed by Raman analysis. However, carbon-14 dating did indicate the presence of RME that could not be extracted from the films. The appearance and mechanical properties of the films were also significantly affected by addition of RME. Dynamic mechanical analysis of the free standing films showed that the final film properties were affected by oven temperature, choice of co-solvent, and flash-off period. Model studies were performed to further clarify how RME chemically can react through transesterification with the hydroxyl-groups of the polyester. RME and its two main components methyl oleate and methyl linoleate were reacted with primary alcohols with and without tertiary hydrogen both under low temperature (110, 130, 150, 170°C) and industrial cure conditions. The transesterification reaction was monitored with 1H-NMR and real time IR. Evaporation and side reactions, e.g. oxidation, are competing factors with the transesterification reaction. The fatty acid structure affects the conversion as a higher amount of unsaturations triggers higher degree of oxidation. The study also showed that reaction time and temperature affects the transesterification conversion, degree of side reactions, and catalyst choice. / QC 20101117

This work describes the application of spiroligomers as serine hydrolases mimetics. Through collaboration with Kendall Houk's group, for the first time in the Schafmeister lab, we demonstrate that "theozymes" can be successfully used as models to design highly functionalized spiroligomer constructs for organocatalysis. We demonstrate a structure-function relationship between the structure of a series of bi-functional and tri-functional spiroligomer based transesterification catalysts and their catalytic activity. First, we designed and synthesized a series of stereochemically and regiochemically diverse bi-functional spiroligozymes to identify the best arrangement of a pyridine as a general base catalyst and an alcohol nucleophile to accelerate attack on vinyl trifluoroacetate as an electrophile. The best bifunctional spiroligozyme reacts with vinyl trifluoroacetate to form an acyl-spiroligozyme conjugate 2.7x103-fold faster than the background reaction with benzyl alcohol. We then incorporated an additional urea functional group to activate the acyl-spiroligozyme intermediate through hydrogen bonds and enable acyl transfer to methanol. The best trifunctional spiroligozyme carries out multiple turnovers and acts as a transesterification catalyst with k1/kuncat of 2.2x103 and k2/kuncat of 1.3x102. Quantum mechanical calculations identified four transition states in the catalytic cycle and provided a detailed view of every stage of the transesterification reaction. With the aim of accelerating the k2, we sought to design better oxyanion holes that hold multiple hydrogen bonding groups in close proximity of the catalytic groups. A macrocyclic motif would be a good candidate to force the oxyanion hole arm to arrange hydrogen-bonding groups in a precise three-dimensional constellation for transition state stabilization. In Chapter 4, we introduce an in silico designed macrocyclic spiroligomer, which overlays well with catalytic active site of an inhibitor bound-esterase. Finally, we detail our effort to develop new methodologies for rapidly synthesizing spiroligomers on solid-support. This would allow us to efficiently permute their structures for diverse applications such as organocatalysts, host molecules, and biologically related applications such as inhibiting protein-protein interactions. / Chemistry

Biodiesel is currently produced by homogeneous catalysis. More recently however, heterogeneous catalysis is being considered as a cheaper alternative to the homogeneous process. In this research project, heterogeneous catalysts of zirconium oxide were produced by impregnation. Zirconium oxide impregnation with sulfuric acid produced acidic solid catalysts. It was determined that impregnation and calcination at 550^oC (SO₄/ZrO₂-550^oC) produced the best catalyst for palmitic acid esterification with 10 wt % as the optimum concentration in esterification of palmitic acid. SO₄/ZrO₂-550^oC was successfully recycled for eight consecutive runs before permanent deactivation. Its sulfur content was 1.04 wt % using SEM-EDS and 2.05 wt % using XPS for characterization. BET surface area was 90.89 m2/g. The reaction mechanism over Brønsted acid (SO₄/ZrO₂-550^oC) and Lewis acid (Al₂O₃) catalysts obeyed Eley-Rideal kinetics with palmitic acid and methanol adsorbed on the active site respectively. Zirconium oxide was also impregnated with sodium hydroxide to produce basic catalysts. The best catalyst was produced when zirconium oxide was impregnated with 1.5 M NaOH and calcined at 600^oC. Soybean oil was completely converted to biodiesel with 10 wt % catalyst and 1:6 oil to methanol. A mixture of the base catalyst with 30 wt % SO₄/ZrO₂-550^oC effectively converted soybean oil containing 5% oleic acid indicating that this mixture could be used for waste oils. The reaction was first order with respect to triglyceride and second order with respect to methanol. The activation energy was 49.35 kJ/mol and the reaction mechanism obeyed Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics. / Master of Science

The use of microalgae culture to convert CO2 from power plant flue gases into biomass that are readily converted into biofuels offers a new frame of opportunities to enhance, compliment or replace fossil-fuel-use. Apart from being renewable, microalgae also have the capacity to utilise materials from a variety of wastewater and the ability to yield both liquid and gaseous biofuels. However, the processes of cultivation, incorporation of a production system for power plant waste flue gas use, algae harvesting, and oil extraction from the biomass have many challenges. Using SimaPro software, Life cycle Assessment (LCA) of the challenges limiting the microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) biofuel production process was performed to study algae-based pathway for producing biofuels. Attention was paid to material use, energy consumed and the environmental burdens associated with the production processes. The goal was to determine the weak spots within the production system and identify changes in particular data-set that can lead to and lower material use, energy consumption and lower environmental impacts than the baseline microalgae biofuel production system. The analysis considered a hypothetical transesterification and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) transformation of algae-to- biofuel process. Life cycle Inventory (LCI) characterisation results of the baseline biodiesel (BD) transesterification scenario indicates that heating to get the biomass to 90% DWB accounts for 64% of the total input energy, while electrical energy and fertilizer obligations represents 19% and 16% respectively. Also, Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) results of the baseline BD production scenario show high proportional contribution of electricity and heat energy obligations for most impact categories considered relative to other resources. This is attributed to the concentration/drying requirement of algae biomass in order to ease downstream processes of lipid extraction and subsequent transesterification of extracted lipids into BD. Thus, four prospective alternative production scenarios were successfully characterised to evaluate the extent of their impact scenarios on the production system with regards to lowering material use, lower energy consumption and lower environmental burdens than the standard algae biofuel production system. A 55.3% reduction in mineral use obligation was evaluated as the most significant impact reduction due to the integration of 100% recycling of production harvest water for the AD production system. Recycling also saw water demand reduced from 3726 kg (freshwater).kgBD- 1 to 591kg (freshwater).kgBD- 1 after accounting for evaporative losses/biomass drying for the BD transesterification production process. Also, the use of wastewater/sea water as alternative growth media for the BD production system, indicated potential savings of: 4.2 MJ (11.8%) in electricity/heat obligation, 10.7% reductions for climate change impact, and 87% offset in mineral use requirement relative to the baseline production system. Likewise, LCIA characterisation comparison results comparing the baseline production scenarios with that of a set-up with co-product economic allocation consideration show very interesting outcomes. Indicating -12 MJ surplus (-33%) reductions for fossil fuels resource use impact category, 52.7% impact reductions for mineral use impact and 56.6% reductions for land use impact categories relative to the baseline BD production process model. These results show the importance of allocation consideration to LCA as a decision support tool. Overall, process improvements that are needed to optimise economic viability also improve the life cycle environmental impacts or sustainability of the production systems. Results obtained have been observed to agree reasonably with Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis, with the production scenario proposing the exploitation of wastewater/sea water to culture algae biomass offering the best result outcome. This study may have implications for additional resources such as production facility and its construction process, feedstock processing logistics and transport infrastructure which are excluded. Future LCA study will require extensive consideration of these additional resources such as: facility size and its construction, better engineering data for water transfer, combined heat and power plant efficiency estimates and the fate of long-term emissions such as organic nitrogen in the AD digestate. Conclusions were drawn and suggestions proffered for further study.

Les lipases présentent un grand intérêt pour la synthèse du Biodiesel, carburant alternatif au gasoil, généralement obtenu d’une transestérification des triacylglycérols avec un alcool, la plupart du temps le méthanol. Pour avoir un ester issu totalement de la biomasse végétale, l’éthanol peut être utilisé comme accepteur d’acyle. L’objectif de cette étude est de développer des procédés enzymatiques de synthèses d’esters éthyliques catalysés par les lipases végétales sous leur forme brute avec des intrants (huile et alcool) d’origine végétale. D’abord, elle a consisté à la mise en évidence d’une activité lipasique pour des réactions d’éthanolyse et d’hydrolyse par les graines d’A. suarezensis, d’A. grandidieri, de J. curcas, de J. mahafalensis, de M. oleifera et de M. drouhardii. Ensuite, les influences de certains facteurs sur la capacité des extraits le(s) plus actif(s) à réaliser des réactions d’éthanolyse en milieux non aqueux, aqueux et en utilisant comme substrat leurs lipides natifs ont été étudiées. Enfin, des essais de combustion ont été menés sur un moteur monocylindre à injection directe pour l’étude des performances, des émissions et de la combustion du biodiesel produit et de ses mélanges avec le gasoil. Toutes les graines germées sont dotées d’une activité en hydrolyse et éthanolyse. La poudre d’A. grandidieri est la plus active en éthanolyse. Avec cette dernière, deux procédés ont pu être développés : un en milieu non aqueux et un en milieu aqueux (respectivement un rendement de 96,2 % et 96,3 %). Elle est aussi capable de transformer ses lipides natifs sans extraction au préalable en esters éthyliques (rendement de 91,6%). Les performances et la combustion du biodiesel et de ses mélanges sont similaires à celle du gasoil. Une réduction significative des émissions de CO, NOX, CO2 et SO2 au cours de la combustion du biodiesel et de ses mélanges est observée. Ces résultats montrent que les lipases végétales exploitées sous leurs formes brutes peuvent être une alternative aux lipases microbiennes et aux catalyseurs chimiques. / There is a great interest in the use of lipase in the production of Biodiesel, alternative diesel fuel, usually obtained from a transesterification of triacylglycerol with an alcohol which is mostly methanol. To have a biodiesel derived totally from vegetable biomass, ethanol must be explored as acyl acceptor. The objective of this work is to develop enzymatic processes for the synthesis of ethyl esters catalyzed by plant lipases in their crude form with all inputs (oil and alcohol) of origin plant. Firstly, the hydrolysis and ethanolysis activities of A. suarezensis, A. grandidieri, J. curcas, J. mahafalensis, M. oleifera and M. drouhardii seeds were assessed. Subsequently, the most active(s) plant lipase(s) was selected to study the effects of some factors on their ability to carry out ethanolysis reactions in nonaqueous, aqueous media and using as substrate their lipids. Finally, combustion tests were carried out on a single cylinder direct injection engine to study the performance, emissions and combustion of biodiesel and its mixture with diesel. All germinated seeds have hydrolysis and ethanolysis activity. The most active in ethanolysis is the powder from A. grandidieri seed. With this powder, two processes were developed: one in nonaquous medium and the other in aqueous medium (yield of 96.2 % and 96.3 %, respectively). Lipase from A. grandidieri seed is able to transesterify its oils without an extraction thereof into ethyl ester. Performance and combustion characteristics of biodiesel and its mixtures are similar to that of diesel fuel. A significant reduction in CO, NOX, CO2 and SO2 emissions during the combustion of biodiesel and its mixtures is observed. These results show that plant lipases exploited in their crude form can be an alternative to microbial lipases and chemical catalysts.

A corrosão provocada pelo biodiesel é um problema relevante associado à incompatibilidade do biodiesel com diversos materiais metálicos e poliméricos, sendo de suma importância quanto à durabilidade dos motores automotivos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a corrosividade do biodiesel sobre os metais presentes no circuito de combustível dos motores que trabalham segundo o ciclo diesel aplicando técnicas gravimétricas e eletroquímicas. Todos os ensaios foram realizados em biodiesel puro obtido pela reação de transesterificação do óleo de soja refinado com etanol na presença de um catalisador alcalino. Foi avaliada a influência de dois métodos de purificação na corrosividade do biodiesel. A corrosividade do biodiesel e a degradação após contato com os íons metálicos foram avaliadas bem como em função da incidência de luz natural, temperatura e disponibilidade de oxigênio. Os resultados foram comparados com um biodiesel comercial fornecido pela Petrobrás. Ensaios de perda de massa segundo as normas ASTM G1 e ASTM G31 foram realizados para determinar a taxa de corrosão para cada metal nas diferentes condições de incidência de luz e temperatura. Na caracterização eletroquímica foi empregada a técnica de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica para avaliar o comportamento de corrosão dos metais em contato com o biodiesel puro, sem adição de eletrólito suporte. A qualidade do biodiesel e a degradação após contato com metais foram avaliadas pelas medidas do teor de água, teor de ácidos livres, viscosidade e estabilidade à oxidação a 110 °C. Além disso, foram empregadas na caracterização química do biodiesel a cromatografia gasosa associada à espectrometria de massas, a espectroscopia vibracional Raman e a fluorescência de Raios-X. Alguns produtos de corrosão foram caracterizados por difração de Raios-X. Os resultados dos testes de imersão segundo ASTM G1 mostraram que a perda de espessura é levemente maior quando há incidência de luz e estes valores diminuem significativamente quando o biodiesel é exposto à alta temperatura em atmosfera natural de oxigênio. A inibição da corrosão provocada em temperatura mais elevada quando o biodiesel é exposto em atmosfera natural de oxigênio deve-se à redução da solubilidade de oxigênio no biodiesel provocada pela temperatura mais elevada. Os resultados dos testes segundo a ASTM G31 indicaram que o borbulhamento de ar que favorece a reposição constante de oxigênio no meio, favorece o aumento da velocidade de corrosão, afetando principalmente os metais parcial ou totalmente imersos em biodiesel. Os testes de imersão realizados nas diferentes condições de luz, temperatura e oxigênio permitiram concluir que a corrosividade do biodiesel e a resistência à corrosão apresentada pelos metais dependem de um conjunto de variáveis os quais incluem a composição do biodiesel (matéria prima empregada na sua obtenção), grau de purificação do biodiesel somado ao efeito provocado pelo conjunto de fatores externos, tais como, incidência da luz, calor, presença de íons metálicos e oxigênio. Os ensaios eletroquímicos por espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica permitiram usar uma célula de condutividade com eletrodos de platina como sensor da qualidade do biodiesel, mas os resultados com dois eletrodos iguais e com grande área não permitiram quantificar a corrosividade do biodiesel, apenas a qualidade do biodiesel. Os poucos resultados com microeletrodo de platina indicaram a possibilidade de uso dessa técnica para avaliar os fenômenos na interface metal/biodiesel. / Corrosion caused by biodiesel is a relevant issue regarding the problem of biodiesel compatibility with various metallic and polymeric materials, which is extremely important to assure durability of engines. The objective of this study was to evaluate the corrosiveness of the biodiesel on the metals commonly encountered in the automotive fuel system in diesel engine by gravimetric and electrochemical techniques. The influence of two purification methods was investigated. The biodiesel corrosiveness and degradations after the contact with metallic ions were also evaluated in relation to the influence of natural light incidence, temperature and oxygen availability. The results were compared with a commercial biodiesel supplied by Petrobras. Immersion tests according to ASTM G1 and ASTM G31 standards were performed to determine the corrosion rate for each metal at different conditions. The electrochemical characterization was performed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to evaluate the metals corrosion behavior in contact with pure biodiesel, without addition of supporting electrolyte. The biodiesel quality and degradation after contact with metals were evaluated by assessing water content, viscosity and oxidation stability at 110 °C. In addition, the vibrational Raman spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence were also performed. Some of the corrosion products were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The results of ASTM G1 tests showed that the thickness loss for metals determined at room temperature is slightly higher when there is light incidence and these values significantly decrease for the highest temperature at low availability of oxygen. The main conclusion is that the significant reduction in corrosion rate when the biodiesel is exposed to high temperature (heat) in a natural atmosphere of oxygen (ASTM G1) should be assigned to the impressive decrease of oxygen solubility caused by high temperature. The results of ASTM G31 tests indicated that air bubbling along with higher temperature affects mostly partial or totally immersed samples. The increase of corrosion rate evidenced by the weight loss measurements according to ASTM G31 for different metals is attributed to the effect of high concentration of dissolved oxygen. The immersion tests showed that biodiesel corrosiviness as well as corrosion resistance presented by metals depends on a set of variables including composition (dependent on feedstock), biodiesel purity summed to external factors like incidence of light, heat, oxygen and presence of metallic ions. The degradation of biodiesel is strongly affected by heat, light and presence of metallic ions as evidenced by the increase in water content and viscosity as reduction in induction period and Raman peaks intensity decrease for assigned double bonds. The electrochemical characterization by EIS allowed finding that a classical conductivity cell can be used as an interesting quality of sensor for biodiesel quality, but the results with two similar electrodes and big exposed area could not evaluate the biodiesel corrosiveness. The potenciostatic tests performed for copper and carbon steel indicated that it is possible to evaluate both metals corrosion behavior in biodiesel and this is promising technique for this purpose and needs deeper investigation. The few results with a platinum microelectrode have indicated the possibility of using the technique to assess the metal/biodiesel interface phenomena.

A possibilidade de utilização de várias matérias graxas na produção do biodiesel nacional é um fator diferencial em relação aos outros países e requer um conhecimento mais profundo das particularidades do biodiesel obtido a partir de matérias-primas tão distintas. Neste contexto, se insere a presente pesquisa, em que se buscou estabelecer correlações entre algumas propriedades do biodiesel e a fonte oleaginosa que lhe deu origem. O biodiesel foi obtido a partir da reação de transesterificação etílica de dez diferentes matérias-primas graxas (óleos refinados de soja, arroz, canola, girassol, milho, oliva, cyclus (mistura contendo óleos de canola, milho e girassol); óleos brutos de mamona e murumuru, além de resíduo de fritura), utilizando etanolato de potássio como agente catalítico, em um reator com sistema de refluxo a 70C durante uma hora. Após purificação, foram determinadas algumas propriedades do biodiesel (massa específica, viscosidade, índice de acidez e índice de iodo) e da matéria-prima (massa específica, viscosidade, índice de acidez, índice de iodo e composição) que lhe deu origem. Os resultados obtidos nas caracterizações geraram gráficos de correlações entre os diversos parâmetros e os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo método de correlações canônicas. Para todas as amostras de biodiesel, os valores obtidos nas caracterizações foram compatíveis com as especificações estabelecidas pela ANP para o produto, com exceção do biodiesel de murumuru (índice de acidez elevado e viscosidade baixa) e do biodiesel de mamona (viscosidade e massa específica elevadas). Os dados estatísticos demonstram altas correlações entre o biodiesel (massa específica (87,4%), viscosidade (98,5%) e índice de acidez (82,8%)) e as matérias-primas (massa específica (92,1%) e viscosidade (99,3%)). Além disso, existe uma grande correlação entre o índice de iodo (84,5%) do biodiesel e o índice de iodo (77,2%) e a massa molar dos ésteres na faixa de C16-C18 (MMTG) presentes na matéria-prima (89,1%). Estes resultados estatísticos ratificam as observações analíticas / National biodiesel production using any fatty substance and its availability puts Brazil in a distinct position in relation to others countries and requires a deep knowledge of the obtained biodiesel particularitities. The aim of this research is to establish correlations of some biodiesel properties and fatty raw materials. Biodiesel was obtained from the ethylic transesterification reaction of ten different fatty raw materials (waste frying oil; refined oils: soybean, rice, rapeseed, sunflower, corn, olive, cyclus (a mixture of rapeseed, corn and sunflower oils) and crude oils: mamona and murumuru), using potassium ethanolate as catalytic agent, in a reflux reactor system at 70C for one hour. After purification, some biodiesel physical-chemical properties and raw materials were determined. For all biodiesel samples, the obtained values were in agreement to the specifications established by ANP, except for biodiesel obtained from murumuru (high acid value and low viscosity) and from mamona (high viscosity and density). These data were also used in order to stablish graphical correlations of different parameters. Some of these correlations were confirmed by statistical method of canonical correlations analysis which demonstrate high correlations of the following properties: density (87.4%), viscosity (98.5%) and acid value (82.8%) of biodiesel, and density (92.1%) and viscosity (99.3%) of raw materials. Moreover, the results showed high correlations exist between the iodine value (84.5%) of biodiesel and the iodine value (77.2%) and the molar weight of esters in the C16-C18 range (MMTG) of the raw material (89.1%)

O biodiesel é definido como um mono alquil éster de ácidos graxos de cadeia longa derivado de fontes renováveis tais como óleos vegetais e gorduras animais. Sua importância esta associada ao uso como um combustível alternativo para motores do ciclo Diesel podendo ser utilizado puro ou em misturas com o diesel representando economia de petróleo e menor poluição ambiental. Em geral é obtido por meio da reação de transesterificação na qual os triacilgliceróis, principais constituintes dos óleos e gorduras reagem com álcool, em presença de um catalisador ácido ou básico, produzindo ésteres de ácidos graxos e glicerol. A transesterificação pode ser conduzida por catálise homogênea ou heterogênea. O grande desafio da indústria é otimizar o processo a fim de alcançar um produto e uma rota de produção tecnologicamente eficiente e ambientalmente correta. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar a síntese do biodiesel utilizando o processo de transesterificação do óleo de girassol por catálises homogênea e heterogênea. Foram realizadas reações de transesterificação via rotas metílica e etílica, empregando como catalisador homogêneo alcóxido de potássio e como catalisador heterogêneo a resina comercial de troca iônica Amberlyst 26 / Biodiesel is defined as a long-chain mono alkyl (methyl, ethyl or propyl) ester of fat acids obtained from renewable sources, like vegetable oil and animal fat. It has been used as an alternative fuel of Diesel cycle engines. It can be used blended with diesel oil or in the pure form, decreasing the use of petroleum derivates, resulting in a less environmental pollution, diminishing the green house effect. Biodiesel is obtained by transesterification reactions (alcoholysis of triglycerides with ethanol or methanol) of triacylglycerides, the main constituents of oil and fats, with alcohols and acids or alkalines catalysts. The main obtained products are the esters of fat acids and glycerol. The transesterification can be carried out under homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysis systems. The industry biggest challenge is to create a technological synthetic route that produces a pure product without causing a major environmental pollution. The aim of this work was to obtain sunflower biodiesel by transesterifications reactions carried out under homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. The transesterification reactions were performed by methyl and ethyl route, using as homogeneous catalysts, potassium hydroxide and as heterogeneous catalysts the ion exchange commercial resin Amberlyst 26