Utilization of crude karanj (Pongamia pinnata) oil as a potential feedstock for the synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters

► Crude karanj oil without any treatment was applied in this approach. ► Methyl esters of karanj oil were synthesized by single step esterification. ► H2SO4 was employed as a homogeneous catalyst, but comparison was made with H3PO4. ► Total FAME yield was 89.6% at 65 °C using 1:6 oil/alcohol molar ratio.