In order to reach targets set by the EU in the 2003/30/EC Directive, in Republic of Croatia in the last years the emphasis was put on cultivation and treatment of rapeseed hybrids as the crucial raw material for biodiesel fuel production. Since in the Republic of Croatia such researches are in the very onset, the aim of this paper was to determine the yield of three rapeseed hybrids, ‘Artus’, ‘Baldur’ and ‘Titan’, as well as to establish their properties after drying and storage, which are critical for biodiesel production.
In this research, drying curves of three investigated hybrids’ seed were determined. The impact of drying temperature on oil content and on free fatty acids content was determined as well. It was found that Baldur hybrid had the highest oil content, followed by ‘Titan’, and ‘Artus’ with somewhat lower oil content. Moreover, hybrid Artus had the lowest free fatty acid content, irrespective of the drying air temperature, while the free fatty acid content in hybrids ‘Baldur’ and ‘Titan’ was 30% higher. It was evident that the oil content and free fatty acid content are hybrid property of particular hybrids.
Furthermore, the impact of storage conditions, hybrid type and temperature on rapeseed’s oil content and free fatty acid content was determined. It was found that controlled storage conditions provided better quality of rapeseeds.
The conclusion of this research is that the characteristics of rapeseed hybrids corroborate viability of sowing this crop and its usability as raw material for oil production, and thus, for biodiesel production.

rapeseed; raw material; storage; biodiesel production

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia