What is the chemical structure of biodiesel?

Biodiesel is primarily composed of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), which are derived from the transesterification of triglycerides found in vegetable oils or animal fats. The chemical structure of biodiesel consists of long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxylate group (–COO–) at one end, where the fatty acids are esterified with methanol. The exact structure can vary depending on the source of the feedstock, leading to a mixture of different ester molecules in the final biodiesel product. Overall, biodiesel is characterized by its hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains and ester functional groups.