Academic Review: Biodiesel Production from Vegetable Oils and Animal Fats with the Help of Microorganisms

Authors
1 faculty of pharmacy/ department of pharmaceutics/ University of Al-Ameed/ Iraq
2 Al-Turath University/ Iraq
3 Al Nisour University College, Nisour Seq. Karkh, Baghdad, Iraq.
4 Warka University College/ Iraq
5 department of dentistry/ Al-Manara College For Medical Sciences/ (Maysan)/Iraq
6 Department of Medical Laboratory Technics, Al Zahrawi University College, Karbala, Iraq
7 Muntadher Mazaya university college/ Iraq
Abstract
The growing global demand for sustainable and renewable energy sources has intensified research into biodiesel production as an alternative to fossil fuels. Traditionally, biodiesel is synthesized through the transesterification of vegetable oils and animal fats using chemical catalysts. However, chemical processes often involve harsh reaction conditions, high energy consumption, and challenges related to catalyst recovery and waste management. In recent years, microbial biocatalysts-particularly lipases derived from bacteria, fungi, and yeast have emerged as promising alternatives for catalyzing transesterification reactions under milder, environmentally benign conditions. This review critically examines the fundamentals of biodiesel production from vegetable oils and animal fats, with a particular emphasis on the mechanisms and kinetics of both conventional and enzymatic transesterification processes. The pivotal role of microorganisms in enhancing process efficiency, through strategies such as enzyme immobilization, genetic engineering, and reaction optimization, is systematically explored. Furthermore, comparative analyses of microbial and chemical methodologies are presented, highlighting advantages, limitations, and the economic feasibility of microbial-assisted production. The review concludes with a discussion on current challenges and future research prospects, underscoring the potential of microbial biotechnologies to advance sustainable biodiesel production and contribute to global bioenergy goals.
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