CHEMIOMETRIC STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF CAROTENOIDS AND SATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN BIODIESEL STORAGE STABILITY

Biodiesel is a fuel derived from renewable raw materials with the potential to change the world's energy matrix, and reduce the damage caused by fossil fuels to the environment and human health. The disadvantage of biodiesel is its low oxidative stability which affects its storage time. In this study, experimental biodiesel blends were used to identify the influences of carotenoid and free fatty acid contents on storage stability by using UV-VIS spectroscopy. Binary biodiesel blends were prepared blending buriti biodiesel contents ranging from 30% (v/v), 60% (v/v), and 90% (v/v) with soybean, sunflower, and beef tallow biodiesel. The blends were stored up to 45 days to compare the oxidative stabilities. The binary biodiesel blend composed by 90% buriti biodiesel and 10% beef tallow one presented the highest oxidative stability during the evaluated storage time.