Conversion of Cocoa Pod Husk from Several Clones and Cocoa Pod Husk

Infested by Cocoa Pod Borer into Bioethanol

Bakhroini Habriantono, Plant Protection Department of Jember University

ABSTRACT

Cocoa pod husk contain 27% of crude fiber has potential to be converted into bioethanol.
Cocoa pod husk to converted into bioethanol had pass to some processes consist of
pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation. Pretreatment to separate fiber compound,
hydrolysis to degrade fiber into simple sugars, and fermentation to convert sugars into
alcohols. This research was intended to identify : the characteristics of cocoa pod husk clones
and cocoa pod husk infested by cocoa pod borer, optimal hydrolysis treatment, and the
composition of alcohol produced from cocoa pod husk fermentation. The research showed
that cocoa husk contain 20% crude fiber in average. The higher rate of cocoa pod borer
infestation may reduce chemical compound in the cocoa pod husk, except protein compound.
Hydrolysis with 2 M HCl in 8 minutes in autoclave was optimal treatment for chemical
hydrolysis. The hydrolysis with 1% enzymes, at temperature 50 ˚C in 5 hours was optimal
treatment for enzymatic hydrolysis. In the fermentation fermentation process, cocoa pod husk
clone PBC 123 obtains the highest ethanol content. The higher rate of cocoa pod borer
infestation, tend to redusce ethanol production. The methanols yield between 0,3% - 0,58%
and the ethanols yield between 0,23% - 0,38%. Every 100 g of healthy cocoa pod husk
produced 1,41% (w/w) bioethanol and 1,37% (w/w) for cocoa pod husk infested by cocoa
pod borer.

Key words : clones, cocoa pod borer infested, fiber, hydrolysis, fermentation, bioethanol,
sugar