In part 1, the 5 fuels, commercial biodiesel, methyl linoleate, 2-Butanol, Methanol, and Ethanol, were divided among five groups. Each group prepared 6 petri dishes; each dish fitted with a layer of filter paper, 30 seeds, and then another layer of filter paper on top. In preparation for the biodiesel methyl linoleate, 2.25 mL of the biodiesel along with 17.75 mL of water were used to make 20 mL of 10% biodiesel. This amount was split in half 4 times using a graduated cylinder and the appropriate amount of deionized water were added to make 10 mL each of 10%, 5%, 2.5%, 1.25%, and .63% of biodiesel solution. These were poured into the 5 appropriately labeled petri dish; the control dish got 10 mL of DI water. The dishes were wrapped in aluminum (the biodiesel would corrode the parafilm) and stored for a week. Then, they were unwrapped; the number of sprouted seeds in each dish were counted. …show more content…
It was then stored until extraction. During extraction, the bottom glycerol layer was pipetted out and saved. 5 mL of 1M NaCl (aq) wash was done twice to remove the leftover glycerol, methanol, and NaOH. Then MgSO4 were added until it was free moving, effectively removing all the water. The remaining biodiesel was vacuum filtered with a set-up of a side arm flash, Buchner funnel, rubber adapter, and rubber