Bioethanol Production from Watermelon (Citrilus lanatus) Waste Using
Alkaline and Acid Hydrolysis in Dutse, Nigeria
Mustapha U. I., Adamu, M. , Zaharaddeen, U. , and Mustapha, T.
Keywords:Alkaline, Acid, Bioethanol, Citrulus lanatus, Fermentation, Watermelon.
Abstract
The depletion of fossil fuels and escalating greenhouse gas emissions necessitate extensive research in renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources. This study explores the potential of watermelon waste, an agricultural residue, as a feedstock for second generation fuels, which avoids competition with food crop production. Focusing on Dutse, Nigeria, the research investigates bioethanol production through yeast fermentation processes utilizingwatermelon waste as a substrate. Two distinct hydrolysis methods, alkaline (NaOH) and acid (H2SO4), were employed to break down the blended watermelon waste. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was then utilized for yeast fermentation to generate bioethanol. The characterization of the produced bioethanol involved assessing flammability and boiling points. The findings revealed that the percentage yield of ethanol, based on alkaline and acid pretreatments, was 10% and 8%, respectively. The boiling point of the generated bioethanol was found to be 78 oC. In conclusion, the research indicates that alkaline pretreatment outperforms acid pretreatment under the conditions studied. Moreover, the study establishes that watermelon waste can effectively serve as a substrate for bioethanol production, contributing to the development of sustainable and cleaner energy alternatives.