The simultaneous esterification and transesterification of fatropha curcas oil (JCO) was carried out in the presence of Bi2O3 (1-7 wt.%) modified La2O3 catalyst at atmospheric pressure. The catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area, desorption of CO2 (TPD-CO2) and NH3 (TPD-NH3). Under the optimal reaction condition of methanol/oil molar ratio of 15:1, 2 wt.% of catalyst amount and a reaction temperature of 150 degrees C for 4 h, the highest conversion of biodiesel obtained was 93%. This catalyst maintained 87% of FAME conversion after three times of successive reuse. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.