Review on analysis of biodiesel with infrared spectroscopy

Biodiesel is primarily obtained from the base catalyzed transesterification reaction of oils or fats. Biodiesel has become more attractive due to its characteristics of being bio-degradable, renewable and non-toxic. Recently biodiesel has been widely used as an alternative fuel. Biodiesel quality analysis has become very important because consistency and a higher quality are paramount to the success of its commercialization and market acceptance. Suitable and precise analytical methods are needed to meet this requirement. Some analytical techniques have been considered and applied in biodiesel analysis, such as Chromatography and Spectroscopy. Within the Spectroscopic technique, Infrared Spectroscopy has played an important role. Past reviews on analytical methods for biodiesel analysis were written by Knothe and Marcos Roberto Monteiro. In this paper, the author has discussed the developments in biodiesel quality analysis with IR technique.