Production and Physicochemical Characterization of Epoxidized Baobab Seed Oil for Green Polymer Applications

Abstract

Epoxidized vegetable oil (EVO) was synthesized from baobab seed oil (BSO) which is rich in oleic and linoleic acids compared to other vegetable oils, with potential applications in sustainable materials, particularly as a bio-based precursor for epoxy resin production in the polymer industry. The oil was extracted via a cold press method, yielding approximately 55% of oil from the seed biomass. Epoxidation was performed through a homogeneous reaction system using in situ generated performic acid from formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The epoxidized baobab seed oil (EBSO) obtained had a yield of 81% and exhibited key physicochemical characteristics, such as moisture content (3.2%), oxirane oxygen content (3.6%), iodine value (91.78 g I₂/100 g oil), acid value (4.9 mg KOH/g), and saponification value (181 mg KOH/g). The successful progress of the epoxidation reaction was further validated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), which revealed the characteristic oxirane absorption band in the range of 820–850 cm⁻¹.These results highlight the suitability of baobab seed oil for producing bio-based epoxides for green polymer and composite applications.