Synthesis of Epoxidized Citrullus lanatus Seed Oil: Experimental Investigation and Statistical Optimization

Epoxidation of uncommon vegetable oil like Citrullus lanatus seed oil (CLO) offers an inherent biodegradable and vastly applicable novel product. In the present study, CLO was epoxidized in the presence of acetic acid, sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Temperature, sulphuric acid loading and stirring speed were considered as significant process parameters. Response surface methodology-based central composite design was employed to statistically optimize these parameters. Response surface graphs displayed the effect of parameters on the conversion of iodine value and relative conversion to oxirane oxygen. Epoxidized product with the maximum conversion of iodine value of 86.7% (predicted, 87.8%) and relative conversion to oxirane oxygen of 84.2% (predicted, 85.2%) was attained at 3% of sulphuric acid loading, 65 degrees C and 1200 rpm within 9 h of reaction time. FTIR analysis revealed the characteristic peak of the epoxide group with disappeared peak for double bond. H-1-NMR and C-13-NMR analyses confirmed the maximum conversion of the double bond to oxirane group of an epoxide. The present study demonstrates a promising epoxide from Citrullus lanatus seed oil.