Physicochemical properties of Cucurbita pepo, Brachystegia eurycoma, Cucumis melo, Luffa cylindrica, and Arachis hypogaea oils were studied to determine their potential as viable feedstock for biodiesel production. The nonedible oils were extracted by solvent extraction using n-hexane while the oil of Arachis hypogaea was procured. All the oils were characterized for specific gravity, pH, ash content, iodine value, acid value, saponification value, peroxide value, free fatty acid, flash point, kinematic viscosity, and refractive indices using standard methods. Cucurbita pepo seeds had very high oil content when compared to the others. Specific gravity and flash point of the oils were satisfactory. However, moisture content of some of the oils exceeded the stipulated ASTM standard for biodiesel production. Again, acid values of the nonedible oils were very high and exceeded the ASTM standard. They also exceeded the acid value of Arachis hypogaea oil except for Luffa cylindrica oil. Results indicate that the oils are potential biodiesel feedstocks. However, overall results indicate that the nonedible oils are not suitable for single-stage transesterification process to biodiesel but would be better suited for the two stage esterification and subsequent transesterification in order to obtain reasonable yields of the methyl esters. 1. Introduction The rapidly growing global demand for petroleum products and the consequent depletion of the crude oil reserves in addition to adverse environmental concerns and unstable nature of the international market make imperative the need to explore alternative sources of fuel. Biodiesel is one of the promising renewable energy options already exploited by various countries. Categories of feedstocks as source of suitable oil for biodiesel production include seeds, nuts, leaves, wood, and even bark of trees. Nigeria is very well endowed with various edible and nonedible oils. As a result of the extensive demands of oil for consumption and industrial uses, analyses of many oils have been carried out. The extraction and use of vegetable oils has for centuries played an important role in the manufacture of a large number of industrial products and food items [1] and also in biodiesel production. Certain edible oils such as cottonseed and safflower can be used as raw materials for biodiesel production. Some of the nonedible oils such as mahua, castor, neem (Azadirachta indica) , rice bran, linseed, Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), and jatropha (Jatropha curcas) have also be used [2]. However availability of these raw materials
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