GC/MS quantification of individual fatty acids of selected green leafy vegetable foliage and their biodiesel attributes

SUMMARY: The current demand for edible vegetable oil is increasing worldwide, and the development of new sources of high-quality vegetable edible oil is an essential task. There is also a huge demand for biodiesel in domestic and industrial applications, and foliage oils could be a good source for diesel applications. The current study aimed at the identification and quantification of fatty acids from commonly consumed green leafy vegetables (GLVs) viz., Hibiscus cannabinus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Basella alba, Basella rubra, and Rumex vesicarius and to calculate the biodiesel attributes of the oil. The total oil content was ascertained as the highest in R. vesicarius foliage (3.91 ± 0.27 g/100 g dry leaf powder). GC/MS chromatographic investigation identified 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid as a significant compound followed by hexadecanoic acid. In Hibiscus spp. C18:3 (49.3 µmol % and 50.4 µmol %) was recorded to be the most noteworthy followed by C16:0 (23.2 µmol % and 21 µmol %) in H. cannabinus and H. sabdariffa, respectively. The GLVs foliage-fatty acid biodiesel attributes were additionally assessed through an empirical formula. Consequently, the overall examined results will be helpful for the investigation of these oils as vegetable oil for human consumption and biodiesel applications.