Biodiesel

Biofuel obtained by converting plant or animal oils, such as rapeseed, sunflower or used cooking oil. Commonly referred to as diester in Europe and North America. It can be used in existing diesel engines when blended into conventional diesel in concentrations of 7 to 30%. It is made up of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), sometimes also known as vegetable oil methyl esters (VOME). At present, biodiesel is derived from the reaction of vegetable oil with methanol. Research is currently focused on oils that could be produced by microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast strains and microalgae.