Effects of growing region and maturity stages on oil yield, fatty acid profile and tocopherols of Pistacia atlantica Desf. fruit and their implications on resulting biodiesel.

Pistacia atlantica Desf. fruit oil may be considered as a feedstock which is low cost and does not compete with food crops for biodiesel production. The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of the variation in fatty-acid composition and oil accumulation in developing P. atlantica fruits on the resulting biodiesel properties. Samples were collected from two Algerian sites, i.e. Ain oussera and Laghouat. Gas-liquid chromatography revealed that the oleic acid (51.6–55.4% of fatty acids) was the major component, followed by linoleic acid (21.9–29.4%), and palmitic acid (12.7–19.4%). The highest tocopherol isomer contents were observed in the immature stage (200–256 μg g−1 oil). The quality of the biodiesels synthesized from immature and mature P. atlantica fruit oils was tested according to the international standards. All biodiesel samples exhibited a high energy content with a higher heating value (HHV) of 40 MJ kg−1. Meanwhile, the cetane number, long chain saturation factor, degree of unsaturation, oxidative stability and density were in the ranges 53–55, 4.3–5.6, 101–113, 3.4–3.8 h, and 852–862 kg m−3, respectively. The cold flow behavior of biodiesel was assessed through the cloud point (CP) and the cold filter plugging point (CFPP). The CP value ranged from −4.5 to −2.3 °C, and CFPP from −7.1 to −4.9 °C. The above fuel properties comply with the limits imposed by the EN 14214–08, GB/T 20828–07 and ASTM D6751-2010 standards, showing a promising source for biodiesel production in Algeria. • Potential of Pistacia atlantica fruit oils as renewable energy is demonstrated. • Effects of harvest period and growing region on oil content are evaluated. • Biodiesel was produced through the esterification of fatty acids. • Biodiesel from P. atlantia fruit oil has quality equivalent to standards. • Physicochemical characterization established biodiesel's suitability for engines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]