Extracted oil of fruit of the foxtail

palm tree (Wodyetia bifurcata) as a

source of biodiesel fuel

Researchers:

John Jayson Z. Balleza

Merelle P. Madredano
Introduction

Nowadays, fuel plays a vital role in people’s daily lives. Every day, humans take

a bathe, cook, clean, do laundry, and drive using different types of fuels. Most of the fuels are

non-renewable resources, meaning that if it is used once, it will be gone forever (Heron, 2018).

There’s a type of a fuel called fossil fuels, contributes greenhouse gasses that cause climate

change which results a total damage to the earth and it is really visible now. (US EPA, 2021).

However, here is a biofuel; a type of a fuel derived from renewable biological resources such as

plants, algae, or animal biomass which can lower the emission of greenhouse gasses (Rinkesh,

ND). It can reduce the pollution instead it can protect us from global warming. In addition,

biofuel helps people to reduce the dependence or reliance on fossil fuels and foreign oils.

Biofuel has two common types; ethanol and biodiesel. Biodiesel is a fluid fuel delivered

from renewable sources, such as a new and used vegetable oils and animal fats.

On the other hand, palm-oil has a big contribution in the production of biofuel. In

conformity with Malaysian Palm Oil Council, unlike fossil fuel the combustion of palm oil

biofuel does not increment the level of carbon dioxide within the climate as the oil is simply

returning carbon dioxide gotten prior from the environment through photosynthesis. The

extracted oil from fruit of the palm tree is one of the more energy-efficient biodiesel fuels on the

market (Perritano, 2021).

Thus, with these facts and observation, the researchers came up to an idea of producing

biodiesel using the extracted oil of the fruit of foxtail palm tree (Wodyetia bifurcata) with the

goal of reducing the global warming and greenhouse gasses emission . Also, to test if the

extracted oil of fruit of the foxtail palm tree is effective as a source of biodiesel fuel.
Experimental design table

Hypothesis. The type of fruits to be used has an effect on the amount and quality of extracted oil.

Independent variable Background question

 Type of fruits to be used  How does the type of fruits affect the amount of

extracted oil?

 How does the type of fruits affect the quality of

extracted oil?
Dependent variable Constant

Quantitative  Time of experiment

 Amount of extracted oil  150 grams of fruits will be used

Qualitative  Same method and procedure to be used in both set-

 Description of oil in terms up

of flammability, viscosity,

volatility, odor, and color.

Experimental groups and control Control group Exp. Group #1 Exp. Group #2

groups  No. of  unripe  ripe

fruits

going

to

extract

Hypothesis
Testable statement: Distillation process and type of fruits to be used has an effect on the amount

and quality of extracted oil.

 If the researcher will use the distillation process, then there will be a greater

amount of oil extract.

 If the fruit is ripen, the greater amount of oil will be extracted.

Materials

A. Extraction method

 150 grams of fruits (unripe and ripe)

 Clean thin cloth

 Empty container

B. Simple distillation

 Extracted oil of fruit of the foxtail palm

 Distillation flask

 Erlenmeyer flask

 Thermometer with adapter

 Condenser

 Bunsen burner

 Empty container

 Iron stand with clamp

C. Converting oil into biodiesel fuel

  Distilled oil of fruit of the foxtail palm tree

 110 mL of Methanol

 3.5 Grams of Sodium Hydroxide

 Empty container

Methods

A. Experimentation

a) Extraction method

150 grams of fruit (unripe and ripe) of the foxtail palm tree will be collected by the

researchers. The collected fruits will be placed in a clean container and it will be washed. After

this, the fruits will be put in a clean thin cloth (one thin cloth for unripe and one thin cloth for

ripe). Then, the fruits will be squeezed to get that extract of the fruit. The extract of the fruits will

be placed in a separated container. (Label the first container SET-UP A. UNRIPE and SET-UP

B. RIPE)

b) Simple distillation

The simple distillation process will be done separately for the both set-up but the same

procedure will be applied. All the materials needed will be prepared. The extracted oil of fruits

of the foxtail palm will be placed in the Erlenmeyer flask. The calibration of the thermometer

will be checked and put it in the distillation flask. Then, the flask will be connected to the

condenser. And an iron stand was used to hold the condenser. In the end portion of the

condenser, the Erlenmeyer flask was placed that received the end product. After the assembly of

the set-ups, it will be heated using the Bunsen burner. When the extract oil of fruit of the foxtail
palm tree reached its boiling point, the process will continue until there's liquid flowing to the

Erlenmeyer flask. After this, the product will be put in an empty container. (Label the first

container SET-UP A. UNRIPE and SET-UP B. RIPE).

c) Converting oil into biodiesel fuel

The process that the researchers will used for the converting of oil into biodiesel fuel is called

Transesterification. This method will be done separately by set-up but the same process will be

applied. The materials that are needed will be all prepared by the researchers. The distilled oil

will be placed in an empty container. The methanol and sodium hydroxide will be added in the

container together with the distilled oil. The container will be mixed by the researcher using

stirring rod for at least 5 minutes. After mixing, the container will be stored in the refrigerator for

24hours. (Label the first container SET-UP A. UNRIPE and SET-UP B. RIPE). Then after

putting the solution in a refrigerator for 24hours, the biodiesel will be collected by the researcher.

B. Characterization of the product

a) Testing the odor/smell

15 mL of each end-product were placed in two identical test tubes. Each test tube will be

labeled set-up A. Unripe and set-up B. Ripe. The liquids will be observed and the vapor of the

product will be fanned towards the researcher to describe the odor. The observations were

written on the table.

b) Testing the viscosity

A test tube will be filled 20 milliliters by the first end-product, and then a 4.5 mm radius

plastic bead will be dropped inside the test tube. It covers tightly with a cork or rubber stopper.
The test tube inverted so that the bead falls and touches the cork. Then the test tube quickly

turned in an upright position. Then the time it takes the bead to fall on the bottom of the test tube

will be determined and recorded. The procedures will be repeated for another end-product.

c) Testing the volatility

Two drops of each liquid will be put on separate pieces of bond papers using medicine

dropper. It will be done at the same time and place. The time will be recorded until papers get

dry or until the liquid evaporates.

d) Testing the flammability

2 bottle crowns (tansan) will be prepared. Then a cotton bud will be placed in each bottle

crown. The cotton buds will wet with 10 drops of different liquid materials. Each wet cotton bud

will be ignited using a light match stick. The time takes each cotton bud burn completely will be

recorded.

Table 1. Characterization of the product

Type of fruits Odor/smell Viscosity Volatility Flammability

Unripe
Ripe