various important parameters of the RE process to obtain a high yield of FAME. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to statistically analyze and optimize the operating parameters of the process. A central composite design (CCD) was adopted to study effects of catalyst concentration, methanol to oil molar ratio, reaction temperature and mixing intensity on yield of FAME. The results of RSM analysis indicate that catalyst concentration and methanol to oil molar ratio have most significant effect on the yield of FAME, with R2 = 0.998 shows fitness of a second-order model. The interaction terms of catalyst concentration with both methanol to oil molar ratio and reaction temperature exhibited a positive effect delivering (P < 0.0001)