Ethyl Alcohol from Banana Peelings as a Biofuel

Lidelyn Jane Q. Cañalita, Regine D. Labajo

San Pablo National High School, Poblacion, San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur
*Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract: This study explores the potential of utilizing ripe banana peelings as a sustainable feedstock for biofuel
production. The research addresses the global challenges of resource scarcity and environmental degradation by
investigating the extraction of ethyl alcohol from Musa acuminata through fermentation. The experimental process involves
collecting and fermenting banana peel extract with yeast, sugar, and sodium hydroxide, followed by distillation to obtain
ethanol. The physical characteristics of the experimental ethanol, including color, volatility, and odor, are evaluated. Testing
the bioethanol as a fuel shows with varying concentrations of hexane producing different flame intensities. The study
concludes that ethyl alcohol extracted from banana peelings is a biofuel alternative, offering benefits such as reduced
greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable waste management. Future research could focus on optimizing fermentation
processes and exploring larger-scale applications.

Keywords: biofuel, fermentation, ethanol extraction, banana peelings, sustainable energy.

1.
Introduction
The world is facing challenges related yield and high production costs, leading to
to resource scarcity, environmental greenhouse gas emissions and environmental
degradation, and increasing energy demand degradation (Li et al., 2018). This underscores
(Global Resources Outlook 2024). Secure, the need for alternative feedstocks and
sustainable, and cost-effective energy sources production methods to improve the
are crucial for general welfare, industrial sustainability and efficiency of biofuel
competitiveness, and societal function production. One potential alternative feedstock
(Grebesemati, 2016). Energy plays a crucial is ripe banana peelings, which are a side effect
role in various aspects of society, including of the food industry and do not compete with
cooking, heating, lighting, health, food food production. Banana peelings contain high
production and storage, education, mineral levels of fermentable sugars, making them a
extraction, industrial production, and viable and sustainable feedstock for biofuel
transportation (Gebregergs, 2016). However, production (Jensen et al., 2016). The
the global energy demand is rising steadily, significance of this study lies in its potential to
leading to significant environmental risks, offer a sustainable solution to the challenges
particularly from the consumption of fossil faced in biofuel production, such as food
fuels (Kour et al., 2019). security, land use, and environmental impact.
According to Paulova (2015), one
By utilizing banana peelings as a
strategy to tackle these difficulties involves
biofuel feedstock, this study has the potential
utilizing biofuels like ethanol, which can be
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote
derived from agricultural, fruit, municipal, and
sustainable waste management practices, and
industrial waste materials through the process
contribute to the development of renewable
of fermentation. Ethanol, also known as ethyl
energy sources. The research aims to explore
alcohol or bioethanol, is a widely used liquid
the potential of Musa acuminata, via
biofuel that serves as both a fuel and a
fermentation processes, to serve as a viable
gasoline enhancer (Badawy, 2016). It has a
source for biofuel production or the generation
higher oxygen content compared to other
of biofuel-derived commodities.
liquid biofuels, which allows for more
efficient oxidation of gasoline hydrocarbons,
2. Methodology
resulting in reduced emissions of CO and
aromatic compounds (Thangavelu, 2014). For the research design, the researchers
followed a sequential experimental approach.
However, the production of ethanol This involves collecting ripe banana peelings
from traditional feedstocks, such as corn and (Musa acuminata) as the primary material for
sugarcane, has drawbacks such as low ethanol ethanol extraction through fermentation. The
process the researchers includes preparing the mixture is gently stirred to ensure uniform
banana peel extract, fermenting it with yeast fermentation. After fermentation is complete,
and sugar, distilling the fermented mixture to typically lasting 1-2 weeks, the fermented
obtain ethanol, and produce biofuel. mixture is transferred into a distillation
apparatus. The mixture is heated to boil off the
2.1 Research Design ethanol, which has a lower boiling point than
water, and the distillate is collected in a
This study made use of Quasi- receiving flask. The distillate contains ethanol
Experimental Design. This method of mixed with water and undergoes purification,
research design was used in the presentations such as fractional distillation, to obtain pure
and interpretations of results. The results were ethanol suitable for use as a biofuel. Finally,
presented in the forms of tables. Photographs Hexane, Penicillin G and Methanol are added
were presented to support the results. for the complete fuel production (Gül, Ö., &
Özen, S. 2018).
2. 2 Materials and equipment
Statistical Analysis Tool
The materials and equipment needed
for this experiment includes 1kg ripe banana The researchers uses statistical method
peelings from Musa Acuminata, 2 liters water, descriptive analysis tool to explain the
10g yeast, and 200g sugar for the fermentation concentrations of different components in our
process. Additionally, the researchers need a 1 biofuel. This approach involves systematically
fermentation vessel, such as 1 glass jar with an describing the concentration levels of various
airlock, to contain the fermentation mixture. components until the precise concentrations
For the distillation process, the researchers required for optimal biofuel production are
need a distillation apparatus consisting of a 1 identified.
distillation flask, 1 condenser (plastic bottle),
and 1 receiving flask. Other equipment needed
includes a thermometer to monitor
temperature, and 1 funnel for transferring
liquids, 1 filter paper for filtration, and a heat
source, such as a hot plate, for heating the
mixture.

2.3 Procedure

The process begins with the

preparation of banana peel extract by
collecting and thoroughly washing the
peelings to remove any contaminants. The
peelings are then cut into small pieces and
blended with water to create a slurry (Alvarez
and Reyes et al., 2018). Next, the banana peel
slurry is transferred into a fermentation vessel,
where yeast and sugar, sodium hydroxide are
added to initiate fermentation. The vessel is
sealed with an airlock to allow the release of
gases produced during fermentation.
Throughout the fermentation process, the
temperature is monitored regularly, and the