Synthesis of methyl esters from palm (Elaeis guineensis) oil using cobalt doped MgO as solid oxide catalyst

► A reusable Co doped MgO solid oxide catalyst was used in transesterification of palm oil. ► Important parameters were studied with model technique using design of experiments. ► The doped oxide catalyst showed good activity towards the production of methyl esters. ► The leaching of active components of the synthesized catalyst was minimal. ► The doped oxide catalyst is inexpensive and separates easily from product mixture.