The search for alternative triglyceride sources for biodiesel production is a widely discussed issue in Brazil because of the initiation of the Brazilian biofuel program. The viability of biodiesel production from the oil of Raphia taedigera Mart., commonly known as jupati, is studied in this work. This paper presents the obtention and characterization of biodiesel from jupati using an ethylic route with a methane sulfonic acid reaction catalyst. The alcohol: oil molar ratio was 9: 1, and the catalyst concentration was 2% of the oil mass. The yield of the process was 92% by mass, and the oil conversion into jupati ethylic biodiesel was 99.6%. The physical and chemical parameters of jupati ethylic biodiesel were within the limits set by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP). (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.