Patent ID: 8592613

Claim:
A method for making a fatty acid alkyl ester, the method comprising: (a) providing a feedstock comprising oils, and an alcohol, wherein the feedstock comprises: (i) free fatty acids (FFAs), glycerides, or both; (ii) cellulosic material, proteins, or both; and (iii) a phorbol ester; (b) combining the feedstock with the alcohol in the absence of a base or an acid catalyst, at an initial pH of between about pH 5 to pH 7; and (c) reacting the feedstock and the alcohol, at a temperature in the range of about 240 degrees C. to about 300 degree C., and at a pressure at between about 500 to 2800 psig, which is sufficient to prevent boiling of the alcohol during the reaction to (i) generate fatty acid alkyl esters, (ii) cleave the cellulosic material, if present, and (iii) shorten the proteins, if proteins are present, wherein the phorbol ester is converted into a non-toxic material after reacting the feedstock and the alcohol.