In this study, the characteristics and performance of three commonly used catalysts used for alkaline-catalyzed transesterification i.e. sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium methoxide, were evaluated using edible Canola oil and used frying oil. The fuel properties of biodiesel produced from these catalysts, such as ester content, kinematic viscosity and acid value, were measured and compared. With intermediate catalytic activity and a much lower cost sodium hydroxide was found to be more superior than the other two catalysts. The process variables that influence the transesterification of triglycerides, such as catalyst concentration, molar ratio of methanol to raw oil, reaction time, reaction temperature, and free fatty acids content of raw oil in the reaction system, were investigated and optimized. This paper also studied the influence of the physical and chemical properties of the feedstock oils on the alkaline-catalyzed transesterification process and determined the optimal transesterification reaction conditions that produce the maximum ester content and yield. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.