Comparison of some species in genus <i>Brassica</i> cultivated on clay loamy soils under semi-arid agroecosystem for suitability to biodiesel production

Instead of using canola purelines, the use of other species in genus Brassica will be a novel concept to obtain sustainable biodiesel production. This study compares the crude oil percentage, fatty acid composition, and biodiesel characteristics of spring and autumn sown Brassica juncea, B. rapa ssp. oleifera, Sinapis alba, B. nigra purelines appropriateness for biodiesel production. The results indicated that crude oil percentage and fatty acid composition are significantly affected by an interaction between years x genotypes. The crude oil percentage in all species in genus Brassica changed between 14.31 and 30.46% in spring crops and 22.29 and 36.88% in autumn crops. Erucic acid (C22:1; 10.2-42.8%), oleic acid (C18:1; 14.2-34.9%), and linoleic acid (C18:2; 6.8-25.1%) were identified as major fatty acids in all genotypes. Technical features of biodiesel produced by transesterification of species in genus Brassica oil such as acid value (0.18-0.50 mg KOH g(-1)), water content (110-480 mg kg(-1)), iodine value (97.30-119.89 g iodine 100 g(-1)), cold filter plugging point (-5- 5 degrees C), flash point (170-205 degrees), and glyceride (0.003-0.46% mm(-1)). These values indicated that regardless of the time of sowing, these lines are appropriate for biodiesel production in accordance with the TS EN 14,214 standards. Br2 (B. rapa ssp. oleifera) autumn and Bj3 (B. juncea) spring crops are preferable compared to other genotypes to achieve higher yield and quality. Therefore, these genotypes are recommended for further evaluation and sustainable biodiesel production.