Bioeconomy Institute

Soybean Biorefinery

Oleochemicals are derived from triglycerides, which are esters consisting of three long-chain fatty acids attached to a backbone of glycerol (1,2,3-propanediol). Triglycerides are commonly referred to as oils (liquid at room temperature) and fats (solid or semi-solid at room temperature), a difference arising from the relatively higher number of saturated bonds in fats compared to oils. The chemicals of interest include fatty acids, glycerine, fatty alcohols, fatty nitriles, and methyl esters. For an oleochemical plant based on oilseed crops such as soybeans the industry is also interested in converting protein-rich meal byproduct into value-added products. Processing is usually performed by physical and chemical means. The oleochemical industry produces soaps, detergents, lubricants, solvents, and motor fuel.

Soybean Biorefinery Programs

• Development of Soybean-Based Biorenewable Source of Fuels and Lubricants
• Diols from Polyols
• Advanced Biorefinery Feedstocks
• Chemical Methodologies and Library Development
• Development of Soy/Corn Oil Plastic Composites
• Conjugation of Soybean Oil for Use as Ink and Alkyd Resin-Drying Oils 
• Barium Oxide as an Heterogeneous Recyclable Catalyst for Conversion of Oils and Fats to Biodiesel
• Enzyme-Assisted Aqueous Processing of Soybeans
• Global Soybean Meal Quality Update
• The 2004 Soybean Quality Report of the United States Soybean Crop