The researchers aimed to produce biodiesel from Jatropha oil to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. They used a process called transesterification with alkali as a catalyst to convert triglycerides into methyl ester efficiently. By treating Jatropha oil with methyl alcohol and sodium hydroxide at specific conditions, they obtained over 83% methyl ester and 17% glycerol. The resulting biodiesel met ASTM standards for properties like density, viscosity, flash point, cloud point, and pour point, indicating good fuel quality.