The Alcohol Content of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) as an

Alternative Source of Biofuel

An Entry to the
2016 Division Science Investigatory Project

Physical Science

Team Category

Ivan Luke G. Baladhay

Jason Ann D. Silverio
Nikka Marie C. Gan
Mary Leigh I. Jocson
Rochelle T. Sacudit
Investigators

Mrs. Renea A. Segunla

Project Adviser

Table of Contents

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

References

INTRODUCTION

Biofuel is the new alternative exchange to our old harmful fuels. The old sources were all
non-renewable, which leads to a thought that it will soon run out. Aside from being expensive,
people are now searching for more environment-friendly and potential alternative sources of
fuel. This leads to the manipulation of natures wonders to create Biofuels a fuel produced from
biological raw materials compared to fossil fuels. Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) in the
Philippines has shown itself well adapted to climate and soil, and to be more drought-resistant
than any other forage plant introduced as yet (Webster, 1920). Being a local variety of grass,
it shows abundance and thrives in every inch and corner of the Negros Island. This research will
provide and furthermore enhance everyones knowledge about the hidden capabilities of a local
growing grass. The Super Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) or Pakchong or Elephant Grass
from Thailand has higher crude protein than other varieties, which is why Philippines get
interested (Hizon 2014). On the flip side; bioenergy can serve as a motivator to remove existing
weeds in farms, forests or even natural areas. Ecologically damaging invaders can be converted
into cash crops that contribute valuable biomass to ethanol supply chains. (Quinn, Scott, Endres,
Voigt, Endres, 2013). The Philippines should now move towards a low-carbon economy. There is
a need to speed up green technological change towards clean energy (Briones, 2011). The high
significance of Napier grass as shown in the results in the conducted tests, therefore
accomplished the objectives. The varying solution of fermented juice of Napier grass
(Pennisetum purpureum) has a significant effect on its alcoholic content. The stalks of Napier
grass (Pennisetum purpureum) have more ethanol content than its tops. Also the ethanol from
Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is an effective alternative biofuel. With the rising demand
for renewable energy sources and with the rising cost of fossil fuels, new efforts are required to
sustain the energy crisis and to attain a low-carbon economy. Biofuels lessens the import of oil,

since 80-100 % of oil used in the Philippines is imported. Locally, Napier Grass (Pennisetum
purpureum) is abundant here in Negros and is freely-growing in any vacant areas. This type of
grass can be used as an alternative source of alcohol to fuel the power plants that supplies energy
to the province, and soon to the whole country. Because of its abundance, we can rely on it as a
source of biofuel. The significance of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) as a source of
biofuel is so promising and will solve our energy crisis and replace non-renewable and carbonbased energy sources.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Collection of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum)

A sample of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) weighing 1.5 kilograms were
collected by using a cane knife in Hda. Candelaria, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, Philippines.
The sample of the grass was placed in a plastic cellophane. Also, soil was collected from an
estimated 20 inches deep hole for soil analysis using a shovel. It was placed in a plastic
cellophane.
Plant Extraction
The extraction of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was conducted by the use of
mortar and pestle. First, the stalk of the grass was peeled in order to get the soft tissue inside it
before it was cut into smaller pieces. Next, it was pounded using the mortar and pestle. Same
thing was done to the top part of the grass. The crushed bits of Napier grass (Pennisetum
purpureum) was squeezed thoroughly. The two different juices were placed in different glass jars
and were prepared for fermentation.
Fermentation Method
The extracts were boiled 100o C using the Erlenmeyer flask and Bunsen burner as
our heat source. After the boiling process, the extracts were cooled down under room
temperature, (30o C). Four jars were prepared, two for the juice from the stalk and two also from
the tops. The juices were poured into the bottles with different quantities. Each first jar has 300
mL of juice and each second has 250 mL. 10 grams of bakers yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
was added to each of the jars. It was mixed together using a stirring rod and the mixture was
covered with a cloth and underwent fermentation for 2 weeks.

Distillation Method
The fermented samples of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) extracts underwent the
process of distillation. Each solution was placed in an Erlenmeyer flask and then placed on a
distillation apparatus. A thermometer in the distillation vessel determines the temperature. As it
reach 78.5o C (the boiling point of the ethanol), the ethanol water vapor was condensed and the
liquid ethanol was transferred in the receiving flask. As the temperature exceeds 78.5o C, all the
ethanol was fully extracted from the fermented sample.
Data and Gathering Procedures
Results were measured based on the corresponding amounts of ethanol. The ethanol yield
percentage was measured to determine and interpret the extracts activities. The gathered ethanol
was tested on their flammability, ignition and flame color. The data obtained were statistically
tabulated.
Data Analysis
All of the data from the conducted tests were statistically tabulated. The gathered data
from the experimentation were inferred using the Mean and the One way ANOVA.
Waste Disposal
The used stalks and tops of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) will be buried in the soil to be
used as a fertilizer. All the glasswares and devices used during the experiment and gathering
process were washed thoroughly and was dried before returning to its proper place.

RESULTS
This study aimed to determine if Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is a good
alternative source of biofuel.
It was hypothesized that:

a.) The varying fermented solutions of Napier grass have no significant effect on its
alcoholic content.
b.) The ethanol from Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is not an effective alternative
biofuel.
Table 1.1: Amount of ethanol (mL) extracted from the different samples of Napier Grass
(Pennisetum purpureum) fermented juice.
SAMPLES
A
B
C
D

REPLICATE 1
46.5
39
44
34

REPLICATE 2
46
37
44
32

REPLICATE 3
46.5
38
45
33

Legend:
ABCD-

(300 mL extracts from stalk, 10 g. bakers yeast)

(250 mL extracts from stalk, 10 g. bakers yeast)
(300 mL extracts from tops, 10 g. bakers yeast)
(250 mL extracts from tops, 10 g. bakers yeast)

Table 1.2 Result of the One Way ANOVA

ANOVA
Source of
Variation
Between
Groups
Within
Groups
Total

SS

df

MS

333.58
33
4.8333
33

111.19
44
0.6041
67

182.3
0

338.41
67

11

Pvalue
1.02E07

F crit
4.0661
81

MEAN
46.3
38
44.3
33

The table 1.2 presents one-way ANOVA result of table 1.1. It shows that the computed F is
greater than the F critical with (p=0.01). The computed F which is 184.05 is much greater than
the F critical which is 4.07. Thus, the null hypothesis that the varying fermented juice of Napier
grass (Pennisetum purpureum) has no significant effect on its alcohol content was rejected.

Table 2: Representation of the flame color, ignition time and flammability data of the ethanol
derived from Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum).

Sample

Color of Flame

Ignition

Blue and Orange

Flammability
Moderate
Flammability

Blue

Low Flammability

Blue

Low Flammability

Moderate
Flammability

Blue and Orange

DISCUSSION

Supporting the result in Table 1, table 2 shows the observed flame color, ignition, and
flammability of the ethanol extracted from the fermented juice. The color of flames are blue and
orange which are the colors that indicate a good flame. The ignition has a low result, just ranging
from one to two times. The flammability also has a low result only having moderate

flammability as the highest result. All in all, still, it has a potential of being a fuel due to its fuel
performance. Thus the null hypothesis that ethanol from Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is
not an effective alternative biofuel was rejected.

It was also observed that the stalks of the Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum)
performed better than the tops because of the amount of ethanol it produced both in the 300 mL
and 250 mL of juice. Also the ethanol from the stalks performed better in the fuel application
test.

Conclusion
The varying solution of fermented juice of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) has a
significant effect on its alcohol content. The stalks of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) have
more ethanol content than its tops. Also the ethanol from Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum)
is an effective alternative biofuel.

Results recommend Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) as an environment-friendly

and potential alternative source of biofuel.

Bibliography
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Appendices
1. Ho: The varying fermented solutions of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) have no
significant effect on its alcoholic content.
Ha: The varying fermented solutions of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) have
significant effect on its alcoholic content.

2. Level of significance (p= 0.05)

df (among treatments) = (4-1) = 3
Where c= 4 (no. of treatments)
df (within treatments) = 4 (3-1) = 8
Where n= 3 (no. of replicates)
3. Critical F value= 4.07
4. Total value of each samples:
SAMPLES

REPLICATE

REPLICATE

REPLICATE

A
B
C
D

1
46.5
39
44
34

2
46
37
44
32

3
46.5
38
45
33

TOTAL

TOTAL2

139
114
133
99
= 485

19 321
12 996
17 689
9801
= 59807

5. Correction Factor:
235, 225
CF=
= 19, 602. 08
12
6. Sum of each Squared Observation:
46.52 + 462 + 46.52 + 392 + 372 + 382 + 442 + 442 + 452 + 342 + 322 + 332 = 19, 940.5
7. Sum of each Total2/N
19, 935. 67
8. SST= 19 940 - 19 602. 08= 338.48
SSC= 19 935. 67 19 602. 08= 333. 59
SSE= 338.48 333. 59= 4. 89
9.
Source of

Sum of

df

Mean

Computed

Tabulated

Variation
Treatments

Squares
SSC

Square
111. 20

or Critical F
4. 07

Error
Total

(333.59)
SSE (4.89)
SST
(338.48)

1. 61

182. 30

Cv=

10. The computed F which is equal to 182. 30 is greater than the critical or tabular F which is
equal to 4.07, therefore Ho is rejected and Ha is accepted.
11. Conclusion: There is a significant effect of the varying fermented solutions of Napier
Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) on its alcoholic content.