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124 Chapter Four
Figure 4.13 Dipteryx odorata. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Davison
Shillingford [www.da-academy.org/dagardens_tonkabean1.html].)
4.3 Low-Cost Edible Oils
Besides nonedible oils, there are some edible oils from plants that yield
a relatively lower-cost source to produce biodiesel compared to biodiesel
from rapeseed oil or soybean oil.
4.3.1 Cardoon oil
Crop description. Cynara cardunculus L.—commonly known as car-
doon, Spanish artichoke, artichoke thistle, cardone, dardoni, or cardo—
belongs to the family Asteracea (see Fig. 4.14). Artichokes originated in
the Mediterranean region and climates, becoming an important weed
of the Pampas in Argentina, and in Australia, and California because of
its adaptation to dry climate. Its fatty acid composition mainly includes
palmitic acid (19.3%), stearic acid (6.1%), oleic acid (39%), and linoleic acid
(30%) [123].
Main uses. The leaf stalks are eaten as a vegetable. The leaves contain
cynarin, which improves gall bladder and liver functions, increases bile
flow, and lowers cholesterol. The down from the seed heads is used as
rennet.
Encinar et al. transesterified C. cardunculus oil using methanol and
several catalysts (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and sodium
methoxide) to produce biodiesel. Best properties were achieved by using 15%
methanol and 1% sodium methoxide as catalyst, at 60 C temperature [124].
