Biofuels are gaining significant global attention as renewable and alternative
energy sources, produced from various materials through different extraction
methods and conversion processes. Food industry generates not only substantial
organic waste, presenting economic and ecological challenges but also potential
opportunities for valorization. This study focuses on recovering industrial fish
waste from the manufacture of canned tuna, specifically targeting non-food and
abundant fish co-products such as heads, bones, skin, and viscera, which
constitute nearly 50% of the fish body. The process involves several steps: oil
extraction using Soxhlet extraction, purification, and conversion into biodiesel
via transesterification, followed by physicochemical analysis. The experiments
revealed that 32.41% of fish waste was in the liquid phase (a mixture of hexane
and oil), and the extracted oil accounted for 26.56% of the total fish waste
weight (from 1.012 kg of waste, approximately 268.78 g of oil was extracted,
equivalent to 280.36 mL). The fatty acid composition influenced the cetane
number of the biodiesel. Two types of biodiesel (methyl and ethyl esters) were
produced from the extracted fish oil through transesterification with methanol
or ethanol and sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The analysis showed
that the produced biodiesels possess properties similar to conventional diesel,
indicating their suitability for use in diesel engines. This research highlights
the potential of fish waste valorization to reduce fossil fuel consumption and
promote sustainable energy solutions.