Environmentally friendly properties of vegetable oil methyl esters

¹ Loire 2i.S, 21, rue de la Poterie, 44640 Saint-Jean de Boiseau, France
² BFB Oil Research, Parc Scientifique Crealys, rue Phocas Lejeune 10, B-5032 Gembloux, Belgique
³ Onidol, 12, avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France
⁴ Iterg, Rue Monge, Parc Industriel, 33600 Pessac, France

^a gateau.paul@wanadoo.fr
^b bfb@proximedia.be
^c g.vermeersch@prolea.com
^d s.claude@prolea.com
^e f.staat@iterg.com

Abstract

Measurements were carried out on Vegetable Oil Methyl Esters (VOME or FAME) answering the most recent specifications. The products tested are RME (Rapeseed oil Methyl Ester), ERME (Erucic Rapeseed oil Methyl Esters), SME (Sunflower oil Methyl Esters), and HOSME (High Oleic Sunflower oil Methyl Esters). They contain more than 99.5% of fatty acid mono esters. The compositions are given. VOME are not volatile and they are not easily flammable. They are not soluble in water and they are biodegradable. According to the methods implemented for the determination of the German classification of substances hazardous to waters WGK, they are not toxic on mammals and unlike diesel fuel they are not toxic on fish, daphnia, algae and bacteria. The RME is not either toxic for shrimps. According to tests on rabbits, RME and SME are not irritating for the skin and the eyes. VOME display particularly attractive environmental properties.