This work focuses on the development of heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production from high free fatty acid (FFA) containing Jatropha curcas oil (KO). Solid base and acid catalysts were prepared and tested for transesterification in a batch reactor under mild reaction conditions. Mixtures of solid base and acid catalysts were also tested for single-step simultaneous esterification and transesterification. More soap formation was found to be the main problem for calcium oxide (CaO) and lithium doped calcium oxide (Li-CaO) catalysts during the reaction of jatropha oil and methanol than for the rapeseed oil (RSO). CaO with Li doping showed increased conversion to biodiesel than bare CaO as a catalyst. La2O3/ZnO, La2O3/Al2O3 and La0.1Ca0.9MnO3 catalysts were also tested and among them La2O3-ZnO showed higher activity. Mixture of solid base catalysts (CaO and Li-CaO)and solid acid catalyst (Fe-2(SO4)(3)) were found to give complete conversion to biodiesel in a single-step simultaneous esterification and transesterification process. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.