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: lidelynqc@gmail.com, labajoregine333@gmail.com

Introduction food industry and do not compete with food

production. Banana peelings contain high
The world is facing challenges related to levels of fermentable sugars, making them a
resource scarcity, environmental degradation, viable and sustainable feedstock for biofuel
and increasing energy demand (Global production (Jensen et al., 2016). The
Resources Outlook 2024). Secure, sustainable, significance of this study lies in its potential to
and cost-effective energy sources are crucial offer a sustainable solution to the challenges
for general welfare, industrial competitiveness, faced in biofuel production, such as food
and societal function (Grebesemati, 2016). security, land use, and environmental impact.
Energy plays a crucial role in various aspects By utilizing banana peelings as a biofuel
of society, including cooking, heating, feedstock, this study has the potential to
lighting, health, food production and storage, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote
education, mineral extraction, industrial sustainable waste management practices, and
production, and transportation (Gebregergs, contribute to the development of renewable
2016). However, the global energy demand is energy sources.
rising steadily, leading to significant
environmental risks, particularly from the The research aims to explore the potential of
consumption of fossil fuels (Kour et al., 2019). Musa acuminata, via fermentation processes,
to serve as a viable source for biofuel
According to Paulova (2015), one strategy to production or the generation of biofuel-
tackle these difficulties involves utilizing derived commodities.
biofuels like ethanol, which can be derived Methodology
from agricultural, fruit, municipal, and
industrial waste materials through the process For the research design, we will follow a
of fermentation. Ethanol, also known as ethyl sequential experimental approach. This
alcohol or bioethanol, is a widely used liquid involves collecting ripe banana peelings
biofuel that serves as both a fuel and a (Musa Acuminata) as the primary material for
gasoline enhancer (Badawy, 2016). It has a ethanol extraction through fermentation. The
higher oxygen content compared to other process will include preparing the banana peel
liquid biofuels, which allows for more extract, fermenting it with yeast and sugar,
efficient oxidation of gasoline hydrocarbons, distilling the fermented mixture to obtain
resulting in reduced emissions of CO and ethanol, and produce biofuel.
aromatic compounds (Thangavelu, 2014).
Research Design
However, the production of ethanol from
This study made use of Quasi-Experimental
traditional feedstocks, such as corn and
Design. This method of research design was
sugarcane, has drawbacks such as low ethanol
used in the presentations and interpretations of
yield and high production costs, leading to
results. The results were presented in the
greenhouse gas emissions and environmental
forms of tables. Photographs were presented to
degradation (Li et al., 2018). This underscores
support the results.
the need for alternative feedstocks and
production methods to improve the Materials and equipment
sustainability and efficiency of biofuel
production. The materials and equipment needed for this
experiment includes 1kg ripe banana peelings
One potential alternative feedstock is ripe from Musa Acuminata, 2 liters water, 10g
banana peelings, which are a byproduct of the yeast, and 200g sugar for the fermentation
process. Additionally, you will need a 1 distillate is collected in a receiving flask. The
fermentation vessel, such as 1 glass jar with an distillate contains ethanol mixed with water
airlock, to contain the fermentation and undergoes purification, such as fractional
distillation, to obtain pure ethanol suitable for
mixture. For the distillation process, you will use as a biofuel. Finally, Hexane, Penicillin G
need a distillation apparatus consisting of a 1 and Methanol are added for the complete fuel
distillation flask, 1 condenser (plastic bottle), production (Gül, Ö., & Özen, S. 2018).
and 1 receiving flask. Other equipment needed
includes a thermometer to monitor Statistical Analysis Tool
temperature, and 1 funnel for transferring
liquids, 1 filter paper for filtration, and a heat Our statistical method uses a descriptive
source, such as a hot plate, for heating the analysis tool to explain the concentrations of
mixture. different components in our biofuel. This
approach involves systematically describing
Procedure the concentration levels of various
components until the precise concentrations
The process begins with the preparation of required for optimal biofuel production are
banana peel extract by collecting and identified.
thoroughly washing the peelings to remove
any contaminants. The peelings are then cut Results
into small pieces and blended with water to This part includes the presentation, analysis,
create a slurry (Alvarez and Reyes et al.,
and interpretation of data gathered with
2018). Next, the banana peel slurry is
regards to the effectiveness of Ethyl Alcohol
transferred into a fermentation vessel, where
yeast and sugar, sodium hydroxide are added Extracted from Ripe Banana Peelings through
to initiate fermentation. The vessel is sealed Fermentation as a Biofuel.
with an airlock to allow the release of gases I. Physical Characteristics of
produced during fermentation. Throughout the
Experimental Ethyl Alcohol
fermentation process, the temperature is
monitored regularly, and the mixture is gently
stirred to ensure uniform fermentation. After Physical Experimental Ethyl
fermentation is complete, typically lasting 1-2 Characteristics Alcohol
weeks, the fermented mixture is transferred
into a distillation apparatus. The mixture is Color Clear
heated to boil off the ethanol, which has a
lower boiling point than water, and the Volatility Slow

Odor Like Tuba

Table 1
Physical Characteristics of Experimental
Ethyl Alcohol
Table 1 Shows the physical characteristics of
experimental alcohol. The experimental
alcohol as reflected in the table has a clear
color. The volatility is slow and the smell is
“tuba”.
II. Fermentation

Fermentation Samples Components Concentrations

1 Banana peel 1 kg

1 Yeast (S. Cerevisiae) 10 g

1 Sugar 21 g

1 Benzathine Penicillin G 22 mL

1 Sodium hydroxide 20 mL

The medium was formulated for the III. Testing the Effectiveness of
fermentation procedure, with two variations: Bioethanol as a fuel
fermentation solely with S. cerevisiae, and
fermentation with S. cerevisiae supplemented The fermentation process lasted for one week
with benzathine penicillin G. A volume of 22 and a half, after which we proceeded to the
mL from the column was combined with 10 distillation process. Afterward, we transferred
g/L of yeast (S. cerevisiae) in a 250-mL flask it into different vial bottles, with five samples
was sealed with cheesecloth to facilitate for different concentrations, as we added
anaerobic conditions and prevent the ingress Hexane (Methanol) to each.
of air. • Test Samples of Distilled Banana Peel
Daily pH monitoring was conducted on the Extract
samples, with adjustments made to maintain
the pH within the range of 5.0 to 5.5. During
this stage, the pH was adjusted to a range of
5.0-5.5, which corresponds to the optimal pH
for the enzymatic activity of S. cerevisiae,
through the addition of 20 mL NaOH.
Subsequently, the ethanol produced from the
juice of banana peel was separated through
distillation utilizing a rotary evaporator.
Trial 1 (Distilled product) Concentration of Hexane Observation

20 mL 10 mL It doesn’t create fire

• Test Samples of Distilled Banana Peel

Extract

Trial 2 (Distilled product) Concentration of Hexane Observation

15 mL 15 mL It produced a low-fire flame but

after about 10 seconds, the
flame died

• Test Samples of Distilled Banana Peel

Extract
Trial 3 (Distilled product) Concentration of Hexane Observation

25 mL 18 mL It produced a low-fire flame

but after about 16 seconds, the
flame died

• Test Samples of Distilled Banana Peel

Extract

Trial 4 (Distilled product) Hexane Concentration Observation

25 mL 20 mL It produced a moderate high-

fire flame but after about 35
seconds, the flame died

characteristics of the experimental alcohol,

Discussions such as its clear color and slow volatility,
suggest that it could be a viable alternative to
The results of this study demonstrate the
traditional fossil fuels. The fermentation
potential of using Ethyl Alcohol Extracted
process, which involved the use of S.
from Ripe Banana Peelings through
cerevisiae yeast and benzathine penicillin G,
Fermentation as a Biofuel. The physical
was successful in producing ethanol from the
banana peel extract.
The testing of the bioethanol as a fuel showed
promising results, with the highest
concentration of hexane (25 mL) producing a
moderate high-fire flame that lasted for
approximately 35 seconds. While this is not as
long-lasting as traditional fuels, it indicates
that the bioethanol has some potential for use
in small-scale applications, such as powering
small engines or generators.
The limitations of this study include the
relatively short duration of the fermentation
process and the limited scope of the testing.
Future studies could focus on optimizing the
fermentation process to increase the yield of
ethanol and exploring the use of the bioethanol
in larger-scale applications.
In conclusion, this study demonstrates the
feasibility of using Ethyl Alcohol Extracted
from Ripe Banana Peelings through
Fermentation as a Biofuel. While there are still
challenges to be addressed, the results suggest
that this could be a viable alternative to
traditional fossil fuels in the future.

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