Application of the full factorial design to optimization of base-catalyzed sunflower oil ethanolysis

► Optimization of NaOH-catalyzed ethanolysis by full factorial design with replication. ► Evaluation of the impact of three important operational factors on FAEE yield by RSM. ► RSM is a powerful tool for modeling and optimizing of biodiesel production. ► RSM helps one to understand how the process factors influence the FAEE yield. ► Interrelationships among the process factors are determined and statistically evaluated.