Improvement on oxidation and storage stability of biodiesel derived from an emerging feedstock camelina

•TBHQ was the most potent antioxidant for improving the oxidation/storage stability of camelina biodiesel.•Oxidation stability was improved to a satisfactory level by adding either 2000 ppm BHT, 1000 ppm PrG or 1000 pm TBHQ.•3000 ppm TBHQ was required to maintain the storage stability of camelina biodiesel for one year

Camelina is recognized as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. Similarly to biodiesel derived from other vegetable oils, the oxidative stability is not satisfactory. This issue can be addressed by treating biodiesel with synthetic antioxidants to increase its resistance to oxidation. This study examined the effectiveness of four commonly used antioxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA), tert-butylhydrooquinone (TBHQ) and propyl gallate (PrG) on both oxidation stability and storage stability of camelina biodiesel. The antioxidative activity of four antioxidants was found to be in the order of BHA < BHT < PrG < TBHQ; The oil stability index (OSI) of camelina biodiesel was increased (≥ 8 h), meeting the stability requirement regulated in EN 14214:2014, through adding either 2000 ppm BHT, 1000 ppm PrG or 1000 ppm TBHQ. Regarding the long term storage, it was predicted that treating camelina biodiesel with 3000 ppm TBHQ was enable satisfactory oxidation stability to be maintained for one year.