STUDY OF THE APPLICATION OF LEMONGRASS, LEMON BALM, AND MALLOW EXTRACTS AND TBHQ AS ANTIOXIDANTS IN SOYBEAN BIODIESEL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63330/aurumpub.072-007Keywords:
Antioxidants, Biodiesel, Lemongrass, Lemon balm, MallowAbstract
Oxidative stability of biodiesel is a crucial factor for its commercial and environmental viability, as it directly influences its durability, performance, and safety during storage and use. In this context, there has been growing interest in natural alternatives to synthetic antioxidants, especially plant extracts rich in secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, and phenols. In this study, we present an investigation on the application of plant extracts and the synthetic antioxidant TBHQ in soybean biodiesel. The extracts were tested at three different concentrations (500 ppm, 1500 ppm and 3000 ppm) and characterized by total phenolic content, determination of antioxidant activity by the ABTS method, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and by the Rancimat® accelerated oxidation technique (110 °C). Among the extracts evaluated, the highest total phenolic content was observed in mallow extract (MLE) with 74.24 ± 1.9 mg GAE/g, followed by lemon balm extract (LBE) which presented 41.77 ± 2.8 mg GAE/g and lemongrass extract (LGE) with 25.93 ± 0.8 mg GAE/g. Regarding the antioxidant activity against the ABTS•+ radical, the same decreasing order was observed: MLE (991.62 ± 11.18 mM Trolox/g) > LBE (428.30 ± 27.0 mM Trolox/g) > LGE (414.01 ± 24.4 mM Trolox/g). Thermal analysis indicated that TBHQ and mallow extract were the most stable, followed by lemongrass extract and lemon balm extract. At a concentration of 3000 ppm, an increase in the induction period of 68.18%, 62.65%, and 50.0% was observed in comparison to the control sample for lemongrass, lemon balm, and mallow extracts, respectively. The antioxidants increased the induction period in the following decreasing order: TBHQ > lemongrass extract > lemon balm extract > mallow extract. However, only TBHQ extended the biodiesel induction period beyond 13 hours. The studies highlighted the importance of using plant extracts and synthetic antioxidants in controlling the oxidative degradation of soybean biodiesel, significantly increasing its stability.
Downloads
References
AMMAWATH, W. et al. A new method for the determination of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) in RBD palm olein using FTIR spectroscopy. Journal of Food Lipids , v. 11, n. 4, p. 266-277, 2004.
AMRAN, N. A.; BELLO, U.; HAZWAN RUSLAN, M. S. The role of antioxidants in improving biodiesel’s oxidative stability, poor cold flow properties, and the effects of the duo on engine performance: A review. Heliyon, v. 8, n. 7, p. e09846, jul. 2022. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09846.
ANP. AGÊNCIA NACIONAL DE PETRÓLEO, GÁS NATURAL E BIOCOMBUSTÍVEIS. RESOLUÇÃO ANP Nº 920, DE 4 DE ABRIL DE 2023. Disponível em: https://atosoficiais.com.br/anp/resolucao-n-920-2023-estabelece-a-especificacao-do-biodiesel-e-as-obrigacoes-quanto-ao-controle-da-qualidade-a-serem-atendidas-pelos-agentes-economicos-que-comercializem-o-produto-em-territorio nacional?origin=instituicao&q=920/2023/. Acesso em: 23/01/2025
ARNOSO, B. J. DE M.; DA COSTA, G. F.; SCHMIDT, B. Biodisponibilidade e classificação de compostos fenólicos. Nutrição Brasil, v. 18, n. 1, p. 39, 4 ago. 2019. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33233/nb.v18i1.1432.
ARUMUGAM, G.; SWAMY, M.; SINNIAH, U. Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng: Botanical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Nutritional Significance. Molecules, v. 21, n. 4, p. 369, 30 mar. 2016. doi:10.3390/molecules21040369.
ASHOKAN, Anbuchezian et al. Influence of natural antioxidants on the thermo-oxidative stability of soybean ethyl and bovine tallow methyl biodiesels. Results in Engineering, p. 108559–108559, 1 dez. 2025. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108559.
AURELIO, M. et al. Estimation of the storage time of biodiesel at room temperature in mixture with natural antioxidants and metallic ions: A semi-empirical study. Fuel, v. 353, p. 129276–129276, 22 jul. 2023. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.129276.
BATISTA, E. K. F. et al. Atividades antinociceptiva e antiinflamatória do extrato etanólico de Luehea divaricata. Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, v. 18, n. 2, p. 433–441, jun. 2016. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-084X/15_140.
BEKER, Sara Anderson. Avaliação do potencial antimicrobiano de tbhq (terc-butilhidroquinona) e de bio-óleo para uso em biodiesel de soja (B100) e óleo diesel B (B10). 2014. Orientador: Fátima Menezes Bento. Dissertação (Mestrado em Microbiologia Agricola e do Ambiente) - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre. 2014. Disponível em: http://hdl.handle.net/10183/126976
BHATT, P.; NEGI, P. S. Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities in the Leaf Extracts of Indian Borage (Plectranthus amboinicus). Food and Nutrition Sciences, v. 03, n. 02, p. 146–152, 2012. doi: 10.4236/fns.2012.32022.
CHISSICO, Rodolfo Bernardo. Caracterização físico-química e actividade anti-inflamatóriado extrato hidroetanólico de olax dissitiflora. Revista Científica SUWELANI, 2019.
DE JESUS, J. H. F. et al. Thermal behavior and polymorphism of the antioxidants: BHA, BHT and TBHQ. Fuel, v. 278, p. 118298, 15 jun. 2020. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118298.
DE SOUSA, L. S. et al. Study of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the oxidative degradation process of biodiesel by the action of antioxidants using the Rancimat and PetroOXY methods. Fuel, 2019. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2018.10.082.
DE VARGAS, G. C.; BELLAVER, E. H.. Estudo da atividade antioxidante dos compostos fenólicos na medicina preventiva: revisão de literatura. Visão Acadêmica, Open journal Systems, v. 23, n. 1, 2022.
DEVI, A.; DAS, V. K.; DEKA, D. Evaluation of the effectiveness of potato peel extract as a natural antioxidant on biodiesel oxidation stability. Industrial Crops and Products, v. 123, p. 454–460, nov. 2018. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.07.022.
DOMINGOS, A. K. et al. The influence of BHA, BHT and TBHQ on the oxidation stability of soybean oil ethyl esters (biodiesel). Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, v. 18, n. 2, p. 416–423, mar. 2007.
DU, X. et al. Ethnopharmacology, chemical composition and functions of Cymbopogon citratus. Chinese Herbal Medicines, 1 nov. 2023.
FREITAS, Rosangela Correia et al. Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana e antioxidante das espécies Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) e Mentha x villosa (Huds.). Revista de Ciências Farmacêuticas Básica e Aplicada, v. 35, n. 1, 2014.
GONÇALVES, J. H. T.; SANTOS, A. S.; MORAIS, H. A. Atividade antioxidante, compostos fenólicos totais e triagem fitoquímica de ervas condimentares desidratadas. Revista Da Universidade Vale Do Rio Verde, 2015. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5892/ruvrd.v13i1.2003.
HEINZMANN, Berta Maria; DE BARROS, Francisco Maikon Correa. Potencial das plantas nativas brasileiras para o desenvolvimento de fitomedicamentos tendo como exemplo Lippia alba (Mill.) NE Brown (Verbenaceae). Saúde (Santa Maria) , pág. 43-48, 2007.
HOSSEINZADEH-BANDBAFHA, H. et al. Biodiesel antioxidants and their impact on the behavior of diesel engines: A comprehensive review. Fuel Processing Technology, v. 232, p. 107264, jul. 2022. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2022.107264.
KANWAL, H. et al. Oxidative stability and emission profiles of biodiesel from hemp, karanja, castor, and amla oils: impact of natural antioxidants. RSC Advances, v. 15, n. 47, p. 39408–39416, 2025. Doi: https://doi-org/10.1039/d5ra05704c .
KASPER, A. A. M.; SOUSA, S. F. D.; SOUSA JÚNIOR, J. J. V. D.; ESCHER, S. K. S.; BARATA, L. E. S.. Comparison of antifungal activity of commercial oil and ethanolic extract of neem (Azadirachta indica Juss) leaves against phytopathogenic fungi. Revista Ibero-Americana de Ciências Ambientais, p. 54-62, 2018.
LAUREANTI, E. J. G. et al. Microencapsulation of bioactive compound extracts using maltodextrin and gum arabic by spray and freeze-drying techniques. International Journal Of Biological Macromolecules, v. 253, p. 126969, dez. 2023. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126969.
LORENZETTI, E. R. et al. Controle da ferrugem das folhas do capim-limão [Cymbopogon citratus (DC: ) Stapf] com produtos naturais. Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, v. 14, n. 4, p. 571–578, 2012.
LIMA, A. Caracterização química, avaliação da atividade in vitro e in vivo, e identificação dos compostos fenólicos presentes no Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense, Camb.). (Tese Doutorado), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, 2008, 219p.
MACÊDO, C. G.; SOUSA, B. C. M.; FRAGA, S. S.; LOURIDO, K. A.; LUSTOSA, D. C.; SILVA, E. O.; CASTRO, K. C. F.. Fitoquímica e atividade antifúngica do extrato de folhas de Piper marginatum no controle de fitopatógenos. Revista Ibero-Americana de Ciências Ambientais, v.9, n.6, p.70-77, 2018.
MEKALA, R.; BANU, N. T.; MATHAMMAL, R. Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Morinda citrifolia leaf extract: Its characterization and biological activities. Next Research, v. 2, n. 3, p. 100629, set. 2025. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexres.2025.100629.
M. NAMBIRAJ; K. SURESH KUMAR. Exploring the role of natural antioxidant additives extracted from agro wastes in prolonging biodiesel’s storage stability. Industrial Crops and Products, v. 212, p. 118321, jun. 2024. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.118321.
NGUYEN, NQet et al. Evaluation of total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of Plectranthus amboinicus leaves. In: IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. IOP Publishing, 2020. p. 062017. Doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/736/6/062017
OLEINIK, G. et al. Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) seed shell extracts as a promising green antioxidant alternative to increase biodiesel oxidation stability. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, v. 190, p. 429–437, out. 2024. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.07.123
OLIVEIRA, R. DE A. G. DE . et al.. Interference of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng essential oil on the anti-Candida activity of some clinically used antifungals. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, v. 17, n. 2, p. 186–190, abr. 2007. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2007000200009.
PAIVA, L. F. DE; DOMINGUES, S. DE A. Atividade antifúngica de Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf frente à leveduras do gênero Candida sp. Revista Fitos, v. 15, n. 1, p. 22–31, 31 mar. 2021.
PAVIA, D. L.; LAMPMAN, G. M.; KRIZ, G. S.; VYVYAN, J. R. Introdução à Espectroscopia. 4. ed. São Paulo: Cengage Learning, 2015.
PAVANELLI, André Silveira; POVH, Juliana Aparecida. Óleos essenciais e potencial antioxidante de Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown sob ação de reguladores vegetais. Brazilian Journal of Development, v. 10, n. 4, p. e69005–e69005, 18 abr. 2024. Doi:10.34117/bjdv10n4-039.
RAHMAN, MD. MAHMUDUR. et al. Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) from okra plant (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) stalks as a reinforcement in bionanocomposite fabrication: Extraction, processing, and characterization study. Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications, v. 8, p. 100581, dez. 2024. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2024.100581.
RAMOS, T.C.P.M. et al. Eugenol and TBHQ antioxidant actions in commercial biodiesel obtained by soybean oil and animal fat. Fuel, [S.L.], v. 286, p. 119374, fev. 2021. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.119374.
RE, R. et al., Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, New York, v. 26, n. 9-10, p. 1231-1237, 1999.
ROMOLA, C.V. J. et al. A comprehensive review of the selection of natural and synthetic antioxidants to enhance the oxidative stability of biodiesel. Renewable And Sustainable Energy Reviews, v. 145, p. 111109, jul. 2021. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111109.
RUFINO, M. S. M. et al., Metodologia Científica: Determinação da Atividade Antioxidante Total em Frutas pela Captura do Radical Livre ABTS •+. Comunicado Técnico online-EMBRAPA, 2007.
SACRAMENTO, Felipe Silva et al. Caracterização e atividade antifúngica do extrato vegetal da Lippia alba como potencial controle da antracnose do mamão. Revista de Biotecnologia & Ciência, v.13, e14772, 2024.
SALUJA, R. K.; KUMAR, V.; SHAM, R. Stability of biodiesel – A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, v. 62, p. 866–881, set. 2016. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.05.001.
SANTOS, Nataly A. et al. Commercial antioxidants and thermal stability evaluations. Fuel, v. 97, p. 638-643, 2012. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2012.01.074
SHI, X. et al. Biochemical to enable Biorefinery: A case study of polyphenols extraction from Bio-oil for Utilization as Biodiesel Antioxidants. Green Chemistry, 1 jan. 2025. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1039/d5gc00184f.
SHUBHA, J. R; BHATT, P. Plectranthusamboinicus leaves stimulate growth of probiotic L.plantarum: Evidence for ethnobotanical use in dia-rrhea. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. V. 166: 220-227. 2015. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.02.055
SILVERSTEIN, R. M.; WEBSTER, F. X.; KIEMLE, D. J. Identificação Espectrométrica de Compostos Orgânicos. 8. ed. Rio de Janeiro: LTC, 2015.
SONNEMBERG, M.N. Santos et al. Investigation of curcumin antioxidant efficiency on oxidation stability of biodiesel from soybean oil and beef tallow, contaminated with metals: Kinetic and storage studies. Fuel, v. 368, p. 131520–131520, 1 jul. 2024. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.131520.
SOUSA, L. S et al. Use of natural antioxidants in soybean biodiesel. Fuel, v. 134, p. 420-428, 2014.
SOUSA, L. S. et al. Study of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the oxidative degradation process of biodiesel by the action of antioxidants using the Rancimat and PetroOXY methods. Fuel, 2019.
SOUSA, L. S; MOURA, C. V. R; MOURA, E. M. Action of natural antioxidants on the oxidative stability of soy biodiesel during storage. Fuel, v. 288, p. 119632, mar. 2021. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.119632
SOUZA, D. A. A. DE et al. Assessment of the potential of natural and synthetic antioxidants blends on biodiesel oxidative stability. Brazilian Journal of Development, v. 7, n. 2, p. 11782–11799, 2021. Doi: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv7n2-008.
SPACINO, K. R. et al. Determination of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the B100 biodiesel oxidation process in mixtures with natural antioxidants. Fuel Processing Technology, v. 137, p. 366–370, set. 2015. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2015.05.006.
SWAIN, T.; HILLS, W. E. The phenolic constituints of Punnus domestica. I- quantitative analysis of phenolics constituints. Journal of the science of food and agriculture, v. 19, p.63-68, 1959.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
