FPM 174
FPM 174
FPM 174
MS Thesis
JUNE 2014
STUDY ON BIO-ETHANOL EXTRACTION PROCEDURE
FROM SWEET GOURD, SWEET POTATO AND MAIZE
A THESIS
BY
Submitted to the
Department of Farm Power and Machinery
Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh
JUNE 2014
STUDY ON BIO-ETHANOL EXTRACTION PROCEDURE
FROM SWEET GOURD, SWEET POTATO AND MAIZE
A THESIS
BY
____________________________ _________________________
(Prof. Dr. Md. Daulat Hussain) (Dr. Muhammad Ashik-E-Rabbani)
Supervisor Co-supervisor
_______________________________
(Dr. Md. Rostom Ali)
Associate Professor & Chairman
Examination Committee and Head
Department of Farm Power and Machinery
Bangladesh Agricultural University
Mymensingh-2202
JUNE 2014
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
ABSTRACT v
CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES viii
LIST OF FIGURES ix
ABBREVIATION x
CHAPTER INTRODUCTION 1
1
1.1 Objectives 6
1.2 Specific Objectives 6
CHAPTER REVIEW OF LITERATURE 7
2
2.1 Raw Materials for Bio-ethanol Production 7
2.2 Bio- ethanol Production Methods 10
2.3 Bio- ethanol Extraction From Different Sources 15
2.4 Effect on Environment 16
CHAPTER CHARACTERISTICS OF MAIZE, SWEET GOURD AND 19
3 SWEET POTATO WITH ITS CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND
TYPES OF ETHANOL EXTRACTION METHODS
3.1 Characteristics of maize 19
3.1.1 Distribution and habit 19
3.1.2 Botanical Feature 19
3.1.3 Uses 21
3.2 Characteristics of sweet gourd 23
3.2.1 Distribution and habit 23
3.2.2 Botanical Feature 24
3.3 Characteristics of sweet potato 27
3.3.1 Distribution and habit 27
3.3.2 Botanical Feature 27
3.4 Ethanol Extraction 28
3.4.1 Water Bath Type Evaporator 29
3.4.2 Rotary Evaporator 29
3.4.3 Oil Bath Type Evaporator 29
vi
CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
vii
LIST OF TABLES
1.1 Recent few years production of sweet gourd, sweet potato and maize 5
3.1 Gross chemical composition of different types of maize (%) 23
3.2 Gross chemical composition of Sweet gourd 26
3.3 Gross chemical composition of Sweet potato 28
4.1 Quantity of total fermentation 37
5.1 Sweet gourd fermentation 40
5.2 Ethanol Extraction in percentage 40
5.3 Sweet potato fermentation 41
5.4 Ethanol Extraction in percentage 41
5.5 Ethanol from maize 41
5.6 Ethanol Extraction in percentage 42
5.7 According to market price of those crops and its Bio-ethanol percentage 42
5.8 Chemical analysis 44
5.9 Fixed cost for conducting experiment (For 3 years) 45
5.10 Price of Bio-ethanol 46
viii
LIST OF FIGURES
ix
ABSTRACT
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
All praises are due to the Almighty ALLAH who is the creator of all things seen or
unseen. The author also makes sukria to ALLAH for enabling him to complete this
work successfully.
The author sincerely expresses his profound gratitude to his reverend co-supervisor Dr.
Muhammad Ashik-e-Rabbani, Associate professor, Department of Farm Power &
Machinery BAU, Mymensingh for his guidance, kind and precious suggestions and
immense help during the entire period of the work.
The author is also grateful to Dr. Md. Rostom Ali, Associate professor and Head,
Department of Farm Power & Machinery, BAU, Mymensingh for his cooperation,
encouragement and providing departmental facilities for this study.
The author likes to extend his heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all other respected
teachers of the Department of Farm Power & Machinery, BAU, Mymensingh for their
encouragement and valuable suggestions to complete this work.
The author is grateful to his beloved parents, friends Nasim, Joy,Rubel, Habib, Josim,
Sudab, Emon and all family members for their encouragement and blessings. Also
thanks to Humayun kabir, Student, Chemistry department. Rajsahi University for lab
facilities of RU.
The author
iv
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Ethanol is a desirable fuel additive because it allows fuel to burn more cleanly and
lowers greenhouse gas emissions. It is cost-effective to blend ethanol into gasoline
in view of high crude oil prices in recent years (Louime and Uckelmann, 2008).
The idea to use ethanol as a source of energy is not new. The oldest evidence
about alcohol used as an engine fuel comes from 1899. Between the world wars
about 4 million cars used gasoline blended with 25% volume of ethanol
(Chereminisoff, 1979). Several methods have been identified to produce
bioethanol. Bioethanol can be synthesized from cellulose and hemicellulose that
originates from the many sources of biomass (Cheng et al., 2007). Bioethanol is
one form of renewable energy source that is fast gaining foot hold as potential fuel
to power automotive engine. Microscopic yeast cells break down the starch and
water, creating the so called Bioethanol and carbondioxide as end products.
Bioethanol burns to produce carbondioxide and water in complete combustion, a
process akin to gasoline (Mohammad, 1999). In an earlier study (Taherzadeh,
1999), physiological effects of inhibitors on ethanol from lignocellulosic materials
and fermentation strategies was comprehensively investigated. Yeast based
fermentation, for example, has yielded ethanol from sugar or crops. The
production of ethanol by fermentation of sugar has already been commercially
established, but innovative studies could bring improvements to reactors and
separation systems. To produce ethanol from lignocellosic materials, it is essential
to hydrolyze it before fermentation at the demonstration and industrial level.
Enzymatic hydrolysis is still at an early stage, requiring substantial fundamental
research (e.g., for increased yields) (Kligtik and Demirbas, 1997). .
Bioethanol is an environmentally friendly fuel for vehicles that normally run on
petrol. As a renewable source of energy, it reduces demand on fossil fuels while it
burns more cleanly and with reduced emissions of CO 2, a greenhouse gas. As an
energy source, bioethanol is carbon neutral in that it reduces, by up to 70 %, the
1
amount of greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere. The CO 2 released during
ethanol production and combustion in an engine has already been absorbed from
the atmosphere during the growth of the crops due to photosynthesis.
Currently there is a big push to find and develop alternative sources of energy so
that dwindling reserves of crude oil and other fossil fuels may be conserved. As
Edward Teller, one of the Americas leading physicists points out: "No single
prescription exists for a solution to the energy problem. Energy conservation is
not enough. Petroleum is not enough. Coal is not enough. Nuclear energy is not
enough. Solar and geothermal energy are not enough. New ideas and
developments will not be enough by themselves. Only the proper combination of
all of these will suffice", it showed the importance of alcohol extraction as a fuel
for engine. Sweet potatoes are cooked and converted in a manner similar to
potatoes with the exception that they contain only about 66% water and some
dilution is necessary. Sweet potato contains saccharine (sugar) materials in which
the carbohydrate (the actual substance from which the alcohol is made) is present
in the form of simple, directly fermentable six and twelve carbon sugar molecules
such as glucose, fructose, and maltose. Hence, sweet potato has the potential for
alcohol production.
Humans have been producing ethanol for thousands years. According to the time
flow, the area of ethanol has been extending dramatically. The very first time,
ethanol existed only in alcoholic drinks. After some purification methods were
established, the usage of ethanol highly extended. Then, now, ethanol is at the
new step. The current increase in the gas price and interest in environmental
problems, ethanol becomes highly attractive again. However, to use ethanol as a
substitute of gasoline, there are so many problems on it. We have to establish
large industrial ethanol plant. Also, an increase in the productive efficiency will
be required
2
approach for the production of ethanol by fermentation from the renewable
carbohydrate materials for use as an alternative liquid fuel has been attracting
worldwide interest (Ward and Singh 2002). Thus, there is a growing interest to
find alternative bioresearches other than sugarcane/beet molassess and starchy
crops such as cassava, sweet potato, and sweet sourghum for ethanol production.
3
Recent few years in Bangladesh the production of sweet gourd, sweet potato and
maize are increasing rapidly. Most of the crops are used in poultry sector. But its
economical value is less. So here is an opportunity to move the production in Bio-
ethanol sector. The comparison of production of those crops in recent few years
are shown in Table 1.1
4
Table 1.1 Recent few years production of sweet gourd, sweet potato and maize in Bangladesh:
Sl. Crop
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
no name
Area
Production Area Production Area Production Area Production Area Production
1 Maize 1.74 11.37 2.02 13.70 2.40 16.42 2.92 20.42 3.12 21.78
Sweet
2 0.5 6.60 0.53 7.22 0.50 6.88 0.45 6.20 0.46 7.64
potato
Sweet
3 .053 1.82 .049 1.74 .061 2.20 0.72 2.55 0.69 2.49
gourd
This table elaborate that the amount of production of this three crops is gradually increasing day by day. So here is an
opportunity to develop the process for big aspect.
5
Some countries specially USA, UK, Brazil, Philippine, Korea, Japan, Africa etc extract
ethanol from different fruits, vegetables and root crops. Those countries already
producing bio-fuel in different way by extract ethanol from fruits, vegetables and root
crops. Bangladesh recently awareness has grown among the researchers and policy
planner to investigate into the feasibility of ethanol extraction from different agricultural
product. There are many other traditional or nontraditional fruits, vegetables and root
crops are available in Bangladesh and these should be research for their potentiality to
extract ethanol which use as bio-fuel. Based on the above study, the study was carried out
with the following objectives:
1.1 Objectives:
The main objective of the study is to develop technique to extract Bio-ethanol
from sweet gourd, sweet potato and maize by evaporating method
6
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the available literatures related to ethanol
extraction from traditional fruits, vegetables and root crops which use as bio-fuel.
Very limited works have been done in Bangladesh in this regard. Works relevant
to the ethanol extraction performed by various researchers are reviewed in this
section.
In Brazil Energy Business Daily; (2007) reported that ethanol fuel is produced
from sugar cane which is a more efficient source of fermentable carbohydrates
than corn as well as much easier to grow and process. Beside that they also
produced ethanol from different fruit, vegetable and root crops.
Eduardo de Sousa, and Marco Patina, from Brazil (2007) , reported that each
country should not only determine its capacity to produce raw materials for bio-
fuels, but should also continue using the land reserved for agriculture to produce
food. In most cases, including Brazil, they claimed, there is enough land for
agriculture to produce raw materials for bio-fuels without endangering food
security. Another important aspect is the fact that industry is the driving force to
reduce hunger. As jobs are being created in service sectors to support industry, this
will help people out of poverty, studied Sousa. He added that small farmers may
sell their cassava and generate financial resources to buy other foodstuffs and still
have enough of it for their normal diet.
The national coordinator of the Roots and Tubers Program, Fernando Chitio,
(2007) reported that research is being prepared to identify varieties of cassava for
the production of ethanol. They are interested in using cassava for the production
of ethanol, because that will add value to cassava itself. With annual production of
about six million tones, Mozambique is the sixth largest producer of cassava in
the world. Despite the apparent abundance of cassava, and of land on which it can
be grown, there are voices saying that the production of ethanol will endanger
Mozambican food security and biodiversity. The fear is that farmers in countries
with tropical climates may dedicate their full attention to the cultivation of plants
used for the production of ethanol to the detriment of their own food security.
Chitio dismissed such fears, arguing that farmers will not cut their own throats,
but will only sell surplus cassava for ethanol, after taking what they need for their
own consumption. As raw material for industry, cassava would attract investment
and stimulate productivity and it also offers the farmers an opportunity to sell it as
a cash crop.
ISU reported that (2006) researchers of Iowa State University have used mold to
convert corn fiber into ethanol. The discovery could turn byproducts of corn
milling into another source of fuel.
PESN studied that (2006) Iogen's cellulose ethanol is a fully renewable, advanced
bio-fuel made from the agriculture product such as cereal straws, barely, sweet
gourd, jack fruit, pineapple and corn stover and is one of the most cost-effective
ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in road transport.
8
In Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of
Nigeria, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and
States in southern Nigeria. (2005) IIT reported that local production of ethanol
from maize, guinea corn, millet, other starchy substrates, and cellulose is as old as
the country itself. Apart from food and pharmaceutical uses, ethanol is finding
itself alternative uses for bio-fuel in most of the developed world.
Reuters studied (2005) ethanol export contracts from Brazil are looking more like
contracts for other goods, such as sugar, soybean and oil a sign that the renewable
fuel may be on its way to becoming a world commodity.
News wise reported that (2005) researcher of University of Florida has developed
a biotechnology bug that converts fruit, vegetable and root crops wastes into
ethanol.
Renewable Energy Access developed (2005) a biomass Plant to Convert rice
straw to ethanol. Colusa Biomass Energy, a biomass-to-ethanol company, has
engaged technical assistance consultants for a production plant in the Sacramento
Valley that will convert rice straw to chemical products and ethanol.
Vegetable by-products have mainly been utilized as a source of dietary fiber and
natural antioxidants, but residual vegetables could also be used as a raw material
for soluble sugar and polyol extraction. Therefore, 2 celery (Apium graveolens)
residues from the food industry composed either of stalks alone or stalks plus
leaves, were extracted with hot 85% ethanol to solubilize soluble sugars and
mannitol. Low-molecular-weight carbohydrates in the extracts were identified and
quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Both celery residues
contained similar amounts of sucrose (5.75.9%), but different ratios of hexoses
(glucose and fructose) to mannitol. Total sugar content and mannitol were higher
9
in the stalks (45.5% and 15.2%, respectively) than in the stalk plus leaf residues
(33.9% and 13.3%, respectively). Mannitol represented 33.539.3% of the total
carbohydrate in celery wastes. The alcoholic extracts from celery residues are
proposed as a natural source of mannitol and soluble sugars, which might be used
by the food industry. The alcohol-insoluble residue from celery by-products could
be further used for the preparation of dietary fiber-rich food supplements and also
use as bio-fuel (Ruperez and Toledano, 2003).
10
commercial fruit products. However, there are a lot of unused excess parts of the
pineapple, notably the peelings, which are considered as waste and contribute to
the countrys garbage problem. One solution to both dilemmas is to produce bio-
ethanol from pineapple peelings. This will be made possible by extracting the
glucose content of the peelings and fermenting it through the process of
Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) using the yeast sample.
Peel samples, coming from pineapple, will undergo a series of physical and
chemical analyses to determine the glucose content, which will be utilized to yield
bio-ethanol. The SSF process will be manipulated in terms of fermentation time
and buffer level used to determine the best variables for ethanol production. This
project entitled the extraction of bio-ethanol from Pineapple peelings through
Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation using the Yeast Saccharification
cerevisia will indeed be a great help to the economy and the environment.
Owing to the high starch content (55-65% on dry weight basis) and organic matter
of cassava wastes, an attempt has been made to utilize it for the production of
three bio-products, i. e. alpha -amylase, lactic acid and ethanol in solid substrate
fermentation by incubating the solid residue at different moisture holding capacity
(40-80%) and incubation period (12-60 hr for alpha -amylase, 24-144 hr for
ethanol and 2-10 days for lactic acid). The highest product yield was obtained at
60% moisture holding capacity of the residue and period of incubation varied
from 36 hr ( alpha -amylase), 120 hr (ethanol) to 6 days (lactic acid). This study
showed that the solid residues from cassava starch factories could serve as a low-
cost substrate for bio -products production (Ray et al., 2008).
Eco Geek studied (2007) (Slashdot discussion) the cellulosic ethanol process
produces ethanol from cellulose, which all plants have, instead of from sugar,
which is only abundant in corn, fruit ,vegetables and root crops. Corn ethanol only
produces 1.3 units of energy for every unit of energy that goes into growing the
11
crop and converting the sugar to ethanol. Cellulosic ethanol can produce as much
as 16 units of energy for every one unit of energy put into the process.
Renewable Energy Access reported that (2007) new technologies are required to
produce ethanol from biomass cellulose rather than from the fermentation of
valuable grains. Lignol Energy Corporation has acquired and modified a solvent-
based pre-treatment technology originally developed by a subsidiary of General
Electric (GE).
Sattar et al. (2007) investigated the some decorative plants widely grown in
Bangladesh. The plants Mimusops elengi, Madhuca indica, Hiptage benghalensis
and Polyalthia longifolia have been analyzed for their furfural contents by
colorimetric spectrophotometry after hydrolysis in 13 percent HCl and extraction
with 50% ethanol. The results revealed that the furfural concentration in these
plants is in the range of 3.9-10.3 percent, indicating the potential of these plants as
good source of pentosans and furfural. TLC and conventional chemical test
further confirmed the presence of furfural in extracted solution.
Impact Lab reported that (2006) a new method developed by Honda and the
Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) allows large
volumes of cellulosic ethanol to be produced from widely available waste wood,
rice straw, leaves and some of fruits vegetables such as cassava, pineapple
jackfruit etc . A microorganism developed by RITE helps reduce interference in
the fermentation process, allowing for far more efficient ethanol production.
Kabir (2006) carried out an experiment to find out the prospects of biodiesel
production from Jatropha curcas. During the experiment plant growth, number of
flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per plant, physical
characteristics of Jatropha fruit and seed were studied. Oil extraction from
12
Jatropha seed through chemical method was found to be higher than the
mechanical method. But it was more expensive than the mechanical method. The
percentage of oil content in Jatropha seed was found to be almost 36% (w/w) and
the estimated price of one liter biodisel from Jatropha seed was nearly Tk. 34.50.
Terrell et al. studied (2005) the ethanol is being used in reformulated gasoline
(RFG) and oxygenated gasoline to fulfill the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
Currently, there are 56 ethanol production facilities in the United States,
producing approximately 4 billion gallons of ethanol per year, with more under
construction and expansion. Most of the ethanol is produced from the starches
found in corn. Because ethanol poses no serious health risk to humans, it is the
most likely replacement of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), the most common
additive used in reformulated gasoline (RFG). MTBE has been ban in several
states and in other states; its concentration is limited due to health risks related to
MTBE found in drinking water. These starches are converted to sugar and the
sugar is fermented into ethanol. Ethanol fermentation is an inhibited-product
reaction, and inhibition limits productivity. Their focus is not necessarily the
production of ethanol, but rather the productivity. If ethanol were extracted from
the process as it is produced, it would reduce inhibition and increase productivity.
This project involves two methods that are aimed at improving the productivity.
One method uses a packed bed distillation column to absorb water and the other
method uses a membrane contactor to extract the ethanol. The two methods will
be analyzed and compared. The concepts, experiments, and ideas behind the two
methods are discussed in subsequent sections.
13
50 degrees C and 27.6 MPa, the extractive efficiencies were 84, 76 and 18% for
imperatorin, meranzin and meranzin hydrate, respectively. The presence of
modifiers significantly affected the extraction efficiency: the highest extraction
efficiency of the three coumarone was obtained with ethanol as modifier.
In 2003 Ruperz et.al., studied the vegetable by-products have mainly been
utilized as a source of dietary fiber and natural antioxidants, but residual
vegetables could also be used as a raw material for soluble sugar and polyol
extraction. Therefore, 2 celery (Apium graveolens) residues from the food
industry composed either of stalks alone or stalks plus leaves, were extracted with
hot 85% ethanol to solubilize soluble sugars and mannitol. Low-molecular-weight
carbohydrates in the extracts were identified and quantified by high-performance
liquid chromatography. Both celery residues contained similar amounts of sucrose
(5.75.9%), but different ratios of hexoses (glucose and fructose) to mannitol.
Total sugar content and mannitol were higher in the stalks (45.5% and 15.2%,
respectively) than in the stalk plus leaf residues (33.9% and 13.3%, respectively).
14
Mannitol represented 33.539.3% of the total carbohydrate in celery wastes. The
alcoholic extracts from celery residues are proposed as a natural source of
mannitol and soluble sugars, which might be used by the food industry. The
alcohol-insoluble residue from celery by-products could be further used for the
preparation of dietary fiber-rich food supplements and also use as bio-fuel.
Among the fermentation condition, SSF is found to more advanced and effective
technology for the microbial production ethanol, using different substrates such as
mahua flower (Mohanty et al. 2009), sweet sorghum (Kargi et al. 1985), apple
pomace (Ngadi and Correia 1992), rice straw (Roslan et al. 2011), sugarcane
bagasse (Shaibani et al. 2011) by S. cerevisiae.
Sweet potato is a tropical and temperate regions crop, normally found in Indian
sub-continent. It is used as a vegetable in the state of Odisha (Attaluri et al. 2010).
Ethanol fuel is produced from sugar cane which is a more efficient source of
fermentable carbohydrates than corn as well as much easier to grow and process
.Beside that they also produced ethanol from different fruit, vegetable and root
crops.( Brazil Energy Business Daily, 2007).
Traditionally, the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used all over the
world as the major ethanol producing microorganism (Lin and Shuzo 2006).
Ethanol export contracts from Brazil are looking more like contracts for other
goods, such as sugar, soybean and oil a sign that the renewable fuel may be on its
way to becoming a world commodity (Reuters, 2005).
15
Cassava and sago starch were evaluated for their feasibilities as substrates for
ethanol production using Zymomonas mobilis, ZM4 strain. Before fermentation,
the starch materials were pretreated employing two commercial enzymes,
Termamy l (thermostable -amylase) and AMG (amyloglucosidase). Using 2 l/g
of Termamyl and 4 l/g of AMG, effective conversion of both cassava and sago
starch into glucose was found with substrate concentration up to 30%(w/v) dry
substances. Fermentation study performed using these starch hydrolysates as
substrates resulted in ethanol yield at an average of 0.48g/g by Z. Mobilis, ZM4
(Rhee et al. 2004).
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) represents an important biomass resource for
fuel alcohol production, because of its chemical composition and high density of
starch, compared to other forms of biomass, and thus premise as an alternative
bioresource for the production of ethanol through fermentation (Hang, et al. 1981,
1986; Roukas 1994).
Sweet potato is cheap, readily available in the local market and offers ease in
product processing. It contains starch (178 g /kg), total sugars (26 g /kg) and
protein (3.2 g/kg) on fresh weight basis (Tian et al. 1991).
17
for the separation and classification of biomass material for purposes of recycling
at least a portion of the material while preparing the remainder for conversion to
ethanol and other fermentation products or alternative disposal. These and other
objects of the invention are provided by a method and apparatus in which biomass
or non-virgin biomass is converted to ethanol and other fermentation products.
The non-virgin biomass initially contains deleterious materials which prevent or
inhibit its conversion to ethanol and other fermentation products (Van Draanen et
al., 1999)
18
CHAPTER III
19
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Zea
Species: Z. mays
The maize plant is often 2.5 m (meters) (8 ft) in height, though some natural
strains can grow 12 m (40 ft). The stem has the appearance of a bamboo cane and
is commonly composed of 20 internodes of 18 cm (7 in) length. A leaf grows
from each node, which is generally 9 cm (3.5 in) in width and 120 cm (4 ft) in
length.
Ears develop above a few of the leaves in the midsection of the plant, between the
stem and leaf sheath, elongating by 3 mm/day, to a length of 18 cm (7 in)
(60 cm/24 in being the maximum observed in the subspecies.They are female
inflorescences, tightly enveloped by several layers of ear leaves commonly called
husks. Certain varieties of maize have been bred to produce many additional
developed ears. These are the source of the "baby corn" used as a vegetable in
Asian cuisine.
The apex of the stem ends in the tassel, an inflorescence of male flowers. When
the tassel is mature and conditions are suitably warm and dry, anthers on the tassel
dehisce and release pollen. Maize pollen is anemophilous (dispersed by wind),
and because of its large settling velocity, most pollen falls within a few meters of
the tassel.
Elongated stigmas, called silks, emerge from the whorl of husk leaves at the end
of the ear. They are often pale yellow and 7 in (178 mm) in length, like tufts of
hair in appearance. At the end of each is a carpel, which may develop into a
"kernel" if fertilized by a pollen grain. The percarp of the fruit is fused with the
seed coat referred to as "caryopsis", typical of the grasses, and the entire kernel is
often referred to as the "seed". The cob is close to a multiple fruit in structure,
except that the individual fruits (the kernels) never fuse into a single mass. The
20
grains are about the size of peas, and adhere in regular rows around a white, pithy
substance, which forms the ear (maximum size of kernel in subspecies is
reputedly 2.5 cm/1 in. An ear commonly holds 600 kernels. They are of various
colors: blackish, bluish-gray, purple, green, red, white and yellow. When ground
into flour, maize yields more flour with much less bran than wheat does. It lacks
the protein gluten of wheat and, therefore, makes baked goods with poor rising
capability. A genetic variant that accumulates more sugar and less starch in the ear
is consumed as a vegetable and is called sweet corn. Young ears can be consumed
raw, with the cob and silk, but as the plant matures (usually during the summer
months), the cob becomes tougher and the silk dries to inedibility. By the end of
the growing season, the kernels dry out and become difficult to chew without
cooking them tender first in boiling water.
3.1.3 Uses
Human food
Maize is a major source of starch. Cornstarch (maize flour) is a major ingredient
in home cooking and in many industrialized food products. Maize is also a major
source of cooking oil (corn oil) and of maize gluten. Maize starch can be
hydrolyzed and enzymatically treated to produce syrups, particularly high-
fructose corn syrup, a sweetener; and also fermented and distilled to produce grain
alcohol. Grain alcohol from maize is traditionally the source of Bourbon whiskey.
Maize is sometimes used as the starch source for beer. Within the United States,
the usage of maize for human consumption constitutes about 1/40th of the amount
grown in the country. In the United States and Canada, maize is mostly grown to
21
feed for livestock, as forage, silage (made by fermentation of chopped green
cornstalks), or grain. Maize meal is also a significant ingredient of some
commercial animal food products, such as dog food.
Alternative medicine
Stigmas from female maize flowers, popularly called corn silk, are sold as herbal
supplements.
Chemicals
Starch from maize can also be made into plastics, fabrics, adhesives, and many
other chemical products.
Bio-fuel
Feed maize" is being used increasingly for heating specialized corn stoves (similar
to wood stoves) are available and use either feed maize or wood pellets to
generate heat. Maize cobs are also used as a biomass fuel source. Maize is
relatively cheap and home-heating furnaces have been developed which use maize
kernels as a fuel. They feature a large hopper that feeds the uniformly sized maize
kernels (or wood pellets or cherry pits) into the fire.
The price of food is affected to a certain degree by the use of maize for biofuel
production. The cost of transportation, production, and marketing are a large
portion (80%) of the price of food in the United States. Higher energy costs affect
22
these costs, especially transportation. The increase in food prices the consumer
has been seeing is mainly due to the higher energy cost. The effect of biofuel
production on other food crop prices is indirect. Use of maize for biofuel
production increases the demand, and therefore price of maize. This, in turn,
results in farm acreage being diverted from other food crops to maize production.
This reduces the supply of the other food crops and increases their prices.
Fodder
Maize makes a greater quantity of epigeous mass than other cereal plants, so can
be used for fodder. Digestibility and palatability are higher when ensiled and
fermented, rather than dried.
23
worldwide commercially and in home gardens as food and animal fodder and for
oil from the seeds. Cucurbita maxima, one of at least five species of cultivated
squash, is one of the most diverse domesticated species, perhaps with more
cultivated forms than any other crop. This species originated in South America
from the wild C. maxima ssp. andreana over 4000 years ago. The two species
hybridize quite readily but have noticeably different calcium levels. Different
squash types of this species were introduced into North America as early as the
16th century. By the American Revolution, the species was in cultivation by
Native American tribes throughout the present-day United States. By the early
19th century, at least three varieties are known to have been commercially
introduced in North America from seeds obtained from Native Americans.
Secondary centers of diversity include India, Bangladesh, Burma, and possibly the
southern Appalachians. C. maxima is the source of many varieties of winter
squash (including Acorn, Banana, Buttercup, Kabocha, Golden Delicious,
Hubbard, and Lakota), as well as giant pumpkin varieties (those that weigh over
45 kg [100 pounds]).
Pumpkins are monoecious, having both male and female flowers on the same
plant. The female flower is distinguished by the small ovary at the base of the
petals. These bright and colorful flowers have extremely short life spans and may
only open for as short a time as one day.
24
Flower petal color : yellow .
Leaf type : the leaves are simple (lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)
.
Leaf arrangement alternate: there is one leaf per node along the stem.
Flower symmetry : there are two or more ways to evenly divide the flower (the
flower is radially symmetrical). Number of sepals, petals or tepals there are five
petals, sepals, or tepals in the flower. Fusion of sepals and petals the petals or the
sepals are fused into a cup or tube.
25
Table 3.2 Gross chemical composition of Sweet gourd
26
3.3 Characteristics of sweet potato
3.3.1 Distribution and habit
The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the
family Convolvulaceae. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are a root
vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as greens. Ipomoea
batatas is native to the tropical regions in America. Of the approximately 50
genera and more than 1,000 species of Convolvulaceae, I. batatas is the only crop
plant of major importancesome others are used locally, but many are poisonous.
The sweet potato is only distantly related to the potato (Solanum tuberosum) and
does not belong to the nightshade family. The genus Ipomoea that contains the
sweet potato also includes several garden flowers called morning glories, though
that term is not usually extended to Ipomoea batatas. Some cultivars of Ipomoea
batatas are grown as ornamental plants; the name "tuberous morning glory" may
be used in a horticultural context.
27
Sweet potato leaf and flower Sweet potato
28
Types of ethanol extraction method are given below:
The water bath type evaporator is a device for gently and efficiently evaporating
solvents from a mixture. It consists of two vessels (usually a large flask) and a
tube connecting them. One of the flasks contains the sample and the other holds
the extracted part; the tube attached to a condenser. The flask is heated by
emersion in hot water .Through heat transfer process; the contained liquid is
heated and boiled. Due to high temperature the solvent evaporates and passes
through the connecting tube and is condensed in the condenser section. The
condenser section is arranged so that the condensed vapors drain into another
flask where they are collected. It is a very efficient way and fast process for
extracting large quantities of solvent.
The rotary evaporator is a device for gently and efficiently evaporating solvents
from a mixture. It consists of a heated rotating vessel (usually a large flask) which
is maintained under a vacuum though a tube connecting it to a condenser. The
rotating flask is heated by partial emersion in a hot water bath. The flask's rotation
provides improved heat transfer to the contained liquid; the rotation also strongly
reduces the occupancies of 'bumps' caused by superheating of the liquid. The
solvent vapors leave the flask by the connecting tube and are condensed in the
condenser section. The condenser section is arranged so that the condensed vapors
drain into another flask where they are collected. It is a very efficient way but
comparatively slow process for removing large quantities of solvent.
The oil bath type evaporator is a device for gently and efficiently evaporating
solvents from a mixture. It consists of two vessels (usually a large flask) and a
tube connecting them. One of the flasks contains the sample and the other holds
the extracted part; the tube attached to a condenser. The flask is heated by
29
emersion in hot wax .Through heat transfer process; the contained liquid is heated
and boiled. Due to very high temperature the solvent evaporates and passes
through the connecting tube and is condensed in the condenser section. The
condenser section is arranged so that the condensed vapors drain into another
flask where they are collected. It is a very efficient way and fast process for
extracting large quantities of solvent.
From all methods it had shown that the main process of extraction was
evaporating the ethanol from the solution. It is known that, at 78.3c ethanol is
evaporated from any solution. But in the experiment ethanol was mixed with raw
material and water as a form of Bio-ethanol. The evaporating temperature of
water is 100c, and it is essential to maintain a fix temperature for evaporating
only the Bio-ethanol from the mixer and that would be nearest to 80c. Because at
this temperature only ethanol will be evaporated from the mixer. Next the
evaporated Bio-ethanol will be collected and turned it into normal temperature.
This is the simple and profitable way to extract the Bio-ethanol from a raw mixer.
30
CHAPTER IV
METHODLOGY
This chapter deals with the methods employed for the research. Design of the
extraction process is simple.
Recent years production of sweet gourd, sweet potato and maize is increasing. So
the opportunity of producing Bio-ethanol is also increasing. Besides, demand for
Bio-ethanol is increasing day by day in Bangladesh.
Sweet gourd, sweet potato and maize contains high amount of sugar which is the
main reason for selecting those crops. The concept of producing Bio-ethanol from
different fruits, vegetables and root crops came from the notion that these have
considerable amounts of glucose, of the oligosaccharide group. Included in this
group are d-glucosamine, d-mannose, d-xylose, l-fucose in ratios of 2:2:1:1.
Exhaustive proteolysis resulted in the isolation of bromelains, glycopeptides
containing only Asx, Glx and Ser. Periodate oxidation, methylation, and
glycosidase digestion showed that the oligosaccharide chain has a highly branched
structure in which all the neutral sugars are in non-reducing terminal positions and
both N-acetyl-d-glucosamine residues occur in internal positions. This proves that
those can be a potential source of Bio-ethanol since the sugar found in its
cellulosic material is the chief raw material of Bio-ethanol production.
31
Fig 4.1 Study Area
32
4.3 Fermentation
Fermentation takes place in the absence of oxygen (when the electron transport
chain is unusable) and becomes the cells primary means of ATP (energy)
production. It turns NADH and pyruvate produced in the glycolysis step into
NAD+ and various small molecules (see examples below). In the presence of O 2,
NADH and pyruvate are used in respiration; this is oxidative phosphorylation, it
generates a lot more ATP in addition to that created by glycolysis, and for that
reason cells generally benefit from avoiding fermentation when oxygen is
available. Exceptions include obligate anaerobes, which cannot tolerate oxygen.
The first step, glycolysis, is common to all fermentation pathways:
C6H12O6 + 2 NAD+ + 2 ADP + 2 Pi 2 CH3COCOO + 2 NADH + 2 ATP + 2
H2O + 2H+
Pyruvate is CH3COCOO. Pi is phosphate. Two ADP molecules and two Pi are
converted to two ATP and two water molecules via substrate-level
phosphorylation. Two molecules of NAD+ are also reduced to NADH.
33
4.3.1 Sweet gourd fermentation process
Fully mature ripe sweet gourds were selected. Sweet gourds were peeled off using
stainless steel knife. Then the sweet gourd was cut into pieces and 0.5kg of sweet
gourd and 500ml of water mixed in a fresh empty bottle. Then the mixer kept for
7 days in natural fermentation which is shown in Fig. 4.2
The method of fermentation of sweet Gourd shown below through flow diagram
Flow diagram of fermentation of sweet gourd
34
Fig 4.2 Sweet gourd fermentation
4.3.2 Sweet potato fermentation Process
Fully mature sweet potato was selected. Sweet potatoes were peeled off using
stainless steel knife. Then sweet potatoes were cut into pieces. Next 0.5kg of
sweet potato and 500ml of water mixed in a fresh empty bottle. Then the mixer
kept for 7 days in natural fermentation. Sweet potato fermentation was shown in
Fig. 4.3
The method of fermentation of sweet potato shown below through flow diagram
Flow diagram of fermentation of sweet potato
35
Fig 4.3 Sweet potato fermentation
Ripe maize was selected. The grain was removed from total maize. Then it was
cut into pieces and boiled for 15 minutes and 0.5kg of maize and 500ml of water
mixed in a fresh empty bottle. Then the mixer kept for 7 days in natural
fermentation was shown in Fig 4.4
The method of fermentation of Maize shown below through flow diagram
36
Fig 4.4 Maize fermentation
Sl Duration of
Crop type Amount Water
no: fermentation
1. Sweet gourd 500 mg 500 ml 7 days
2. Sweet potato 500 mg 500 ml 7 days
3. Maize 500 mg 500 ml 7 days
Total fermentation process of sweet gourd, sweet potato and maize for 7 days is
shown in Fig 4.5
37
Fig 4.5 Quantity of total fermentation
After 7 days of natural fermentation, 500ml of sweet gourd, sweet potato and
maize were collected in 3 separate bottles shown in Fig 4.6. A simple evaporating
system was made for extracting the Bio-ethanol from raw materials. In the
evaporator an electric heater was used which shown in Fig 4.7, which control
temperature. The heater was connected with a bottle which was saturated in
normal temperature water for cooling.
38
Fig 4.7 Evaporation system by using heater
39
CHAPTER V
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter comprises of the discussion of the results obtained from the
experiment conducted.
In the first sample 2 kg sweet gourd was collected from the market. After peeling
sweet gourd, the weight was 1.75 kg. Then the sweet gourd smashed and mixed
with 500ml of fresh water without any yeast. After 7 days fermentation 500ml raw
material was collected from the fermentation for extraction. Then the raw material
was put in the evaporate chamber to separate the Bio-ethanol from the solution.
The Bio-ethanol was collected after 2 hours evaporation. The amount of collected
Bio-ethanol was 95ml. Now all the results are given below. These are shown in
Table 5.1.
Volume of
Name of Initial weight Weight after Volume of raw
Bio-ethanol
sample (kg) peeling ( kg) material (ml)
(ml)
Sweet gourd 2 1.75 500 95
In first sample 2 kg potato was collected from market. After peeling sweet potato,
the weight was 1.8 kg. After cutting all sweet potatoes into small pieces and sweet
potato was mixed with 500ml of fresh water without any yeast. After 7 days
fermentation 500ml raw materials were collected for extraction. Then the raw
40
materials was put in the evaporate chamber to separating the Bio-ethanol from the
solution. After 2.5 hours evaporation the Bio-ethanol was collected. The amount
of collection of Bio-ethanol was 105ml. Now all the results are given below.
These are shown in Table 5.3.
Volume of
Volume of raw
Name of Initial weight Weight after Bio-
material
sample (kg) peeling ( kg) ethanol
(ml)
(ml)
Sweet
2 1.80 500 105
potato
In first sample 2 kg maize was collected from market. Here the entire sample was
used for fermentation. Collected maizes were partially smashed and mixed with
500ml of fresh water without any yeast. After 7 days fermentation 500ml raw
material was collected to extraction. Then the raw material was put in the
evaporate chamber for separating the Bio-ethanol from the solution. After 2.5
hours evaporation the Bio-ethanol was collected. The amount of collected of Bio-
ethanol is 110ml. Results are shown in Table 5.5
41
Table 5.6 Ethanol Extraction in percentage
Table 5.7 According to market price of those crops and its Bio-ethanol
percentage
42
5.5 Extraction process of Bio-ethanol
According to the experiment and other extraction methods, it is the easy and
profitable method to extract the Bio-ethanol from raw material.
Sugar Platform
Dehydration
43
Fig 5.3 Starch to ethanol process from Raw material:
Hydrolysis
Fermentation
Raw materials were sent to Rajshahi University chemistry lab for chemical analysis
of Bio-ethanol.
Percentage of
Sl. Percentage of Percentage of
Crop name other materials
no ethanol (%) water (%)
(%)
01 Sweet Gourd 46 34 20
02 Sweet potato 32 47 21
03 Maize 60 28 12
44
5.8 Production cost of Extracted bio-ethanol
Fixed cost:
= 1.193
Total calculation was conducted according to the amount of 300 kg of Sweet Gourd,
Sweet Potato and Maize. For each ton of raw material this procedure brings
32000Tk/ton, 33666Tk/ton and 35000Tk/ton respectively for of Sweet Gourd Sweet
Potato and Maize.
46
CHAPTER VI
6.1 Conclusions
Bio-ethanol is seen as a good fuel alternative because the source crops can be
grown renewably and in most climates around the world. In addition the use of
Bio-ethanol is generally CO2 neutral. This is achieved because in the growing
phase of the source crop, CO2 is absorbed by the plant and oxygen is released in
the same volume that CO 2 is produced in the combustion of the fuel. This creates
an obvious advantage over fossil fuels which only emit CO 2 as well as other
poisonous emissions.
Bio-fuel is an upcoming renewable source of energy, which would not only help
in controlling the demand, but also will reduce pollution. If we can select the most
efficient source of ethanol production then the cost will be reduced. Energy sector
will be more profitable which can play an important role in the extension of fuel
business. This extension of fuel business is necessary for fulfill the shortage of
fuel energy and offers sound environment.
There is a global oil crisis, as the demand for petroleum increases each year while
our supplies are rapidly being depleted. Bio-ethanol, a principle bio-fuel, is a
natural alternative to gasoline. One solution is to produce bio-ethanol from
different nontraditional and traditional fruits, vegetables and root crops.
47
This study conducted the extraction of bio-ethanol from Sweet gourd, Sweet
potato and Maize through fermentation without using the yeast will indeed be a
great help to the economy and the environment. Sweet gourd, Sweet potato and
Maize are suitable for Bio-ethanol production. The highest concentration of
ethanol has been observed in Maize about 60%, others were 46% and 32% ethanol
from sweet gourd, sweet potato and maize respectively in this experiment. These
results state that the Maize is a potential raw material for bio-ethanol extraction
.This research will also answer the crisis of looking for a clean, alternative source
of fuel energy. In this mechanical system obtained bio-ethanol from 500 ml sweet
gourd, sweet potato and maize solution are 95 ml, 105 ml and 110 ml only but
there need to invest huge amount of money. It was found from the calculation
that the developed system can bring 32000Tk/ton, 33666Tk/ton and 35000Tk/ton
with benefit-cost ratio 1.193, 1.207 and 1.197 respectively. These research will
also solution the crisis of looking for a clean, alternative source of fuel energy.
6.2 Recommendations:
2. If the extraction of Bio-ethanol will be done in large scale than it will be more
profitable.
48
REFERENCES
Aro, N., T. Pakula and M. Pentella, 2005. Transcriptional regulation of plant cell
wall Degradation by filamentous fungi. Fems Microbiology revolution.
29: 719-739.
Attaluri S, Janardhan K.V. and Light A., 2010. Sustainable sweet potato
production and utilization in Orissa, India. Proceedings of a workshop and
training held in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India, 17-18 Mar 2010.
Bhubaneswar, India. International Potato Center (CIP).
49
Chereminisoff, N.P, 1979. Gasohol for Energy Production. Ann Arbor Sci. Pub:
12.
Chitio, F., (2007). Using Casava for Ethanol Production Defended. Proceedings of
an international symposium at Maputo in Mozambique. October 11-14.
Damaso, M., M.R. Castro and M.C. Adrade, 2004. Application of xylanase from
Thermomyces lanuginosus for enzymatic hydrolysis of corn cob and sugar
cane Baggase. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 15: 1003-1012.
Draanen, V., Mello, A. and Steven, (1999). Production of ethanol and other
fermentation products from biomass. United States Patent 5932456.
Eduardo de Sousa, and Patina, M. from Brazil (2007). Use of Cassava for Ethanol
Production Defended. In an international symposium which held at
Maputo in Mozambique. October 11-14.
50
Friendrich, L. K., (2004). Extraction of fruit, vegetable and meat products with a
polyether-based polymer. USA patent 4594250.
Hang, Y.D., Lee C.Y. and Woodams, E.E., 1981. A solid-state fermentation
system for production of ethanol from apple pomace. J. Food Sci . 47:
18511852.
Hang, Y.D., Lee, C.Y. and Woodams, E.E., 1986. Solid-state fermentation of
grape pomace for ethanol production. Biotechnol Lett. 8: 5356.
Islam, M. A. (2009). Study on the extraction and possible uses of bio- fibres. Farm
Power and Machinery. Thesis, Bangladesh Agricultural University,
Mymensingh, p.54.
ISU, (2006). Turning corn fiber ethanol. Iowa State university. Source
www.im@com. Assesdate.21.10.09.
Kargi F., Cureme, J.A. and Sheehan, J.J., 1985. Solid-state fermentation of sweet
sorgum to ethanol. Biotechnol Bioeng. 27: 3440.
51
Kim, S. and E. Dele, 2005. Global potential Bioethanol production form wasted
crop and crop residue. Biomass Bioenergy, 26: 361-347.
Kroumov, A.D., A.N. Modenes and D.M.C. Tait, 2006. Development of new
unstructured model for simultaneous sacchanification and fermentation of
starch to ethanol by recombinant strain. Journal of Biochemical
Engineering, 28:243-255.
Ledward, D.A., A.J. Taylor and R.A. Lawrive, 2003. Upgrading waste for food
and feeds, 3rd edn. Butterorth, U.S.A., pp: 321.
Lin, and Shuzo, 2006. Ethanol fermentation from biomass; current state and
prospects. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 69: 627-642.
Lin, T., 2006. Ethanol fermentation from biomass; current state and prospects.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 69: 627-642
52
Mohammad J. Taherzadeh, 1999. Ethanol from Lignocellulose: Physiological
Effect of Inhibitors. Chalmers University of Technology.
Mohanty, S.K., Behera, S., Swain, M.R. and Ray, R.C. 2009. Bioethanol
production from Mahula (Madhuca latifolia L.) flowers by solid-state
fermentation. Apply Energy. 86: 640-644.
Oghgren, K., H.B. Hahn and G. Zacchi, 2006. Simultaneous saccharification and
cofermentation of glucose and Xylose in steam pretreated corn storver at
high fibber content with S. cerevisiae. Journal of Biotechnology, 126(4):
488-496.
53
Oyeleke, S.B. and T.A. Okansanmi, 2008. Isolation and characterization of
cellulose hydrolysing microorganisms from the rumen of ruminants.
African Journal of Biotechnology, 7(9): 125-131.
PSEN, (2006) VW, Shell and logen to study feasibility of producing cellulose
ethanol in Germany Source [email protected]. Asses date.21.10.09.
Ray, R.C., Mohaputra, S., Panda, S. and Kar, S., (2008). Solid substrate
fermentation of cassava fibrous residue for production of alpha-amylase,
lactic acid and ethanol. Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (Regional
Centre), Bhubaneswar- 751019, India.Journal-of-Environmental-Biology.
2008; 29(1): 111-115.http://www.geolostics.com/j_environ_biol/.
Rhee, S.K., G.M. Lee, Y.T. Han, Z.A.M. Yousof, M.A. Han, and K.J. Lee, 2004.
Ethanol production from cassava and sago starch using Zymomonas
mobilis. Volume 6, page 615-620, Biotechnology Letters.
Roslan AM, Yee PL, Shah UKM, Aziz SA, Hassan MA. Production of bioethanol
from rice straw using cellulase by local Aspergillus sp. Int. J. Agri. Res.
2011; 6: 188-193.
54
Ruperez, P. and Tolendano, G. (2003). Celery by-products as a source of
mannitol. Instituto del Frio, Departmento de Metabolismo y Nutricion,
Consejo Supervisor de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Jose Antonio
Novais 10, Ciudad Universitaria 28040 Mardid, Spain.
[email protected]. European-Food-Research-and-Technology. 2003;
216(3); 224-226. Berlin, Germany: Springer- Verlag.
Sattar, M.A., Chakraborty, A.K., Al-Reza, S.M. and Islam, M.S. 2007.Extraction
and estimation of furfural from decorative plants growth in Bangladesh.
Biomass and Bioenergy.15:1-8.
Seema, J., R. Patel, Onkarappak and S. Snobla, 2007. Ethanol production from
fungi pretreated wheat and rice straw. International Journal of
Microbiology, 4: 1-7.
Sree, N.K., Sridhar, M., Suresh, K., Bannat, I.M. and Rao, L.V. 2004. High
alcohol production by repeated batch fermentation using an immobilized
osmotolerant Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J. Ind. Microbiol. 24: 222-226.
55
Taherzadeh, M. J. 1999. Ethanol from Lignocellulose: Physiological Effects of
Inhibitors and Fermentation Strategies. Thesis for the Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy, Department of Chemical Reaction.
Tian, S.J., Rickard, J.E. and Blanshard, J.M.V., 1991. Physicochemical properties
of sweet potato starch. J. Sci. Food Agri. 57: 459 491.
Van Draanen et al. 1999. Production of ethanol and other fermentation products
from biomass. United States Patent 5932456.
56
LIST OF ABBREVIATION