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Oil from the powdered seeds of Cucumis melo ssp. agrestis was extracted by Soxhlet extraction method,
using petroleum ether (60oC to 80oC). Methyl ester (biodiesel) of the oil was prepared by hydrochloric
acid catalysed transesterification reaction between the oil and methanol. A blend of the biodiesel and
petrodiesel was made in the ratio of 10:90 (B10) respectively. Physico-chemical properties such as
percent oil content, relative density, total acid number, iodine value, calorific value, flash point, pour
point and bond structure stability of the oil, biodiesel, biodiesel, biodiesel blend and petro-diesel were
determined at 28, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250oC. GC-MS of the fatty acid methyl ester profile of the
biodiesel was also determined. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of the biodiesel which
was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl ester (59.47%) with little percent of monounsaturated fatty
acid methyl ester (2.02%) and appreciable percent of saturated fatty acid methyl ester (38.51%) showed
no breakage of bonds at the above temperatures. The bond structure stability relationship deduced from
FTIR spectra confirmed that the structures of the oil, biodiesel and biodiesel blend were similar to that of
the petrodiesel. Comparative analysis of the results also showed that engine performance of both
biodiesel and petro-diesel in terms of their ignition qualities, relative densities, acidities, viscosities, flash
points, pour points, percent ash, aromatics, sulphur and carbon residues could be improved by blending
the two fuels.
Keywords: Cucumis melo ssp. agrestis, oil, biodiesel, blend, petro-diesel, comparative, analysis.