This article reports the preparation of cost-effective bio-hydroxyapatite (ram bone derived) supported mesoporous Cr heterogeneous catalysts and its performance in biodiesel production from used frying mustard oil (UFMO). The optimal catalyst (98.45 m(2)/g BET area; pore volume 0.0586 cc/g; modal pore diameter 19.3 nm and 0.78 mmol NH3/g catalyst acid-site concentration) demonstrated remarkable efficacy in sustainable synthesis of biodiesel from UFMO achieving maximum FAME content (96.85%) at optimal (predicted through D-optimal method) conditions: 4 wt% catalyst concentration, 8.0 methanol/UFMO molar ratio and 200 degrees C calcination temperature for catalyst preparation. Biodiesel production through concurrent transesterification-esterification (CTE) of UFMO could be augmented from 40.22% (conductive heating system) to 96.85% FAME yield using energy-proficient infrared radiation. Promising engine operation was recorded in terms of lower exhaust temperature at various blends of petrodiesel-product biodiesel in comparison with unaided petro-diesel. Assessment of exhaust emissions implied a significantly low CO (0.05%) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions (<0.00002) for product biodiesel conforming to Euro-VI emission standards. Thus, the article demonstrates an inexpensive and efficient avenue for utilisation of waste resources to generate and utilise clean and renewable energy. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.