Kinetic modelling of the degradation of the alpha-tocopherol in biodiesel-rape methyl ester.

The aim of this work was to study the influence of three major factors (light, atmospheric oxygen, temperature) responsible for the degradation of tocopherols. The evolution of alpha-tocopherol contents was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Taguchi's experimental design was applied to establish a mathematical model of alpha-tocopherols degradation in function of the studied parameters especially in a domain of temperature between 50 degrees C and 150 degrees C.