Fuel property evaluation of unique fatty acid methyl esters containing β-hydroxy esters from engineered microorganisms

Unique fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) containing β‑hydroxy esters were produced using an engineered microorganism by glucose fermentation. This study investigated the properties of the unique FAME mixture both neat and in blends with conventional diesel, as well as properties of β‑hydroxy esters. The unique FAME blend contained relatively shorter-chain FAME (average fatty acid chain carbon number 14.6) with 58 % monounsaturated fatty acids and 9 % saturated and monounsaturated β‑hydroxy acid chains. The unique FAME had significantly lower distillation T90 (321 °C versus 352 °C) and higher cetane number (56.7 versus 52) compared to soy biodiesel. Cloud points were within method repeatability. Unexpectedly (because of the lack of methylene-interrupted double bonds), the unique FAME had low oxidation stability (1.5 h) as determined by Rancimat induction period. Stability could be improved through addition of commonly used antioxidants. We speculate that monounsaturated β‑hydroxy FAME may be the source of this instability. Blends with conventional diesel up to 50 vol% showed similar kinematic viscosity (within method repeatability) as blends of conventional FAME. The unique FAME had no effect on distillation T90 even at the 80 % blend level. A 30 vol% blend into conventional diesel had a Rancimat induction period of only 2 h, very nearly the same as the neat unique FAME sample. The addition of antioxidants produced blends of acceptable stability. Based on an assessment of the properties of individual β‑hydroxy FAME molecules, they have higher boiling point, higher cloud point, lower cetane number, and potentially lower storage stability than analogous FAME not having the β‑hydroxy group. Removing them from the fuel product in the production process may result in a biodiesel product with superior properties to what is on the market today.