Republic of the Philippines

Calamba City Schools Division

CALAMBA CITY SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Chipeco Avenue, Barangay 3, Calamba City, Laguna 4027

The Effectiveness of Banana (Musa balbasiana) peelings and

Mango (Mangifera indica) peelings
as a Bioethanol fuel

An Investigatory Project
Presented to the faculty of Calamba City Science High School
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
of Research IV

By

Hazel Anne C. Quirao

Ann Marylette E. Salom
Jheriemi Rhaine T. Sanchez
Researchers

Ruth Anne B. Ramos

Research Adviser

October 2014
Abstract
 This study determined if Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol is an eco-friendly
fuel compared to diesel in terms of its fire duration. It also determined what the fuel’s
percent ethanol is. The null hypothesis stated that Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol
would not be of good quality in terms of fire duration. The alternative hypothesis stated
that Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol would be of good combusting quality and be
better than other fuels in terms of fire duration.
The study would find out the difference between Banana- Mango Peelings
bioethanol and diesel in terms of fire duration and percentage ethanol only. The
concentration of Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol was tested at the National Institute
of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology by ethanol- gas chromatography.
The t- test was used since banana- mango peelings bioethanol fuel would only be
compared to diesel. The results would be considered statistically significant at 95%
confidence to determine significant differences between the two fuels. The critical value
used for the experiment was 4.303 where the degree of freedom is 2.
The value of t yielded -0.08. The value is lower than the critical value used
therefore signifies a difference between the fire duration of the Banana- Mango Peeling
bioethanol and the diesel. Also it was found out that banana- mango peelings bioethanol
has a percentage ethanol of 2.23±0.09.
This study can be improved by using thorough distillation; makeshift apparatuses
can also be used. Also, it is recommended to have longer fermentation. Varying the
fermentation weeks can also show different results that would lead to more useful data
that show better analysation.

Acknowledgement
 This study would not be successful without the help of the following individuals:

Foremost God, for letting the study be smooth, safe and also he gave enough
wisdom and ability to the researchers to successfully do the experimentation and the
whole paper.

Ms. Mary Grace Salom, Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez and Mr. and Ms. Quirao for
supporting their children in doing the research study specifically in finance.

Mr. Ralph Lawrence R. Silaya for sharing facts regarding their past research,
which is related to this study.

Ms. Ruth Anne Ramos, research adviser, was highly appreciated because of her
patience in correcting the papers that were submitted to her and consideration when it
comes to deadlines. Also for influencing her students to be organized and on time. Lastly,
for being present in all times to guide and keep the safety of her students.

Introduction
Background of the Study

A biofuel is a fuel that contains energy from geologically recent carbon fixation.

These fuels are produced from living organisms. These fuels are made by a biomass
conversion (biomass refers to recently living organisms, most often referring to plants or
plant-derived materials). This biomass can be converted to convenient energy containing
substances in three different ways: thermal conversion, chemical conversion, and
biochemical conversion.
Biofuels have been around as long as cars have. Biofuel is treated as a great solution
to global warming. Cars are a major source of carbon dioxide, thus being a main
contributor to global warming.
Bioethanol is an alcohol made by fermentation, mostly from carbohydrates produced
in sugar or starch crops such as corn, sugarcane, or sweet sorghum. Cellulosic biomass,
derived from non-food sources, such as trees and grasses, is also being developed as
a feedstock for ethanol production. Ethanol can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure
form, but it is usually used as a gasoline additive to increase octane and improve vehicle
emissions. Current plant design does not provide for converting the lignin portion of plant
raw materials to fuel components by fermentation.
Main feed stocks for bioethanol production are sugarcane (in Brazil) and corn grains
(in USA), while many other agricultural raw materials are also used worldwide. Among
the three major types of raw materials, the production of ethanol from sugary and starchy
materials are easier as compared to lingo cellulosic materials since it requires additional
technical challenges such as pretreatment . Furthermore, many agricultural raw materials
rich in fermentable carbohydrates were tested worldwide for bioconversion from sugar to
ethanol, but the cost of carbohydrate raw materials has become a limiting factor for large
scale production by the Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the chemical
composition of fruit wastes (pulp and peels) of Banana and Mango in order to explore
their potential application in bio-ethanol production. The proximate composition of
banana fruit pulp was 76.63% moisture, 5.65% protein, 1.37% lipid, 19.75% ash and
0.632% starch. Similarly for mango, the proximate composition of fruit pulp was 81.26%
moisture, 7.96% protein, 1.48% lipid, 13.08% ash and 0.507% starch. The total dietary
fibre content ranged from 3.54% to 73.04% in the fruit samples and found at higher level
in mango peels. A maximum polyphenol content of 54.45% was observed in mango fruit
peels and a minimum of 10.97% was recorded in banana fruit pulp. The dilute acid
(H2SO4) pretreatment (DAP) followed by enzymatic hydrolysis showed maximum
reducing sugar yield of 64.27% in the mixed fruit pulps, followed by the banana fruit
pulp (57.58%). The banana fruit peels also yielded a maximum reducing sugar content of
36.67% whereas the lowest of 31.29% was observed in mango fruit peels. (Arumugam
and Manikandan, 2011)
Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases
and/or alcohol. It occurs in yeast and bacteria, but also in oxygen-starved muscle cells, as
in the case of lactic acid fermentation. It takes place in the absence of oxygen (when
the electron transport chain is unusable) and becomes the cell’s primary means
of ATP (energy) production.
The researchers chose to study this because the world is facing global warming and
it should be prevented or be cured. This study would give insights, since it would discuss
about a harmless process which would produce a safe, cheap and effective fuel that can
lessen pollution.

Statement of the Problem

The researchers wanted to know if Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol is
effective as an eco- friendly fuel than diesel in terms of its production and fire duration.
The researchers also aim to answer the following questions:
 Is Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol has a significant difference to diesel
gasoline in terms of fire duration?
 How many percent of ethanol can be produced from Banana- Mango Peelings
Bioethanol?

Hypotheses
 This study focuses on the effectiveness of Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol in
terms of firing duration. The null hypothesis (Ho) states that Banana- Mango Peelings
bioethanol has no significant difference to diesel gasoline in terms of firing duration. The
alternative hypothesis (Ha) states that Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol has significant
difference to diesel gasoline in terms of firing duration.

Significance of the Study

Bio ethanol has been formerly introduced as an eco-friendly type of fuel.
However throughout the years, it has slowly been forgotten. Now at our generation, we
are at need of cleaner and more efficient fuel that would serve our daily need. Banana-
Mango Peelings bioethanol would possibly another one of the cleaner and more efficient
fuel. It is made of natural materials that are abundant in our country. Since it undergoes
the natural process of fermentation in order to produce fuel, there would be no exact need
to use synthetic methods that would possibly be harmful to the environment.

Scope and Limitation

The researchers would know the difference between Banana- Mango Peelings
bioethanol and diesel gasoline in terms of fire duration and percentage ethanol only. The
concentration of Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol would be tested at the National
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

Conceptual Framework
 The Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol would be tested by measuring its
combustion time and percent ethanol.

Banana-Mango Peelings Bioethanol

Fire Duration Percent Ethanol

Definition of Terms

Bio ethanol
- Mainly produced by the sugar fermentation process, although it can also be
manufactured by the chemical process of reacting ethylene with steam.
Fermentation
- A metabolic process in which an organism converts a carbohydrate, such as
starch or a sugar, into an alcohol or an acid. For example, yeast performs
fermentation to obtain energy by converting sugar into alcohol. 
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- Commonly known as "baker’s yeast" or "brewer’s yeast". The yeast ferments
sugars present in the flour or added to the dough, giving off carbon
dioxide (CO2) and alcohol (ethanol).

Review of Related Literatures

Production of Biofuel out of Fruit Waste
Ethanol fuel is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic
beverages. It is most often used as a motor fuel, mainly as a biofuel additive for 72
gasoline. World ethanol production for transport fuel tripled between 2000 and 2007
from 17 billion to more than 52 billion liters. From 2007 to 2008, the share of ethanol in
global gasoline type fuel use increased from 3.7% to 5.4%. In 2009 worldwide ethanol
fuel production reached 19.5 billion gallons (73.9 billion liters). Ethanol is widely used in
Brazil and in the United States, and together both countries were responsible for 89
percent of the world's ethanol fuel production in 2009. Most cars on the road today in the
U.S. can run on blends of up to 10% ethanol, and the use of 10% ethanol gasoline is
mandated in some U.S. states and cities. Since 1976 the Brazilian government has made
it mandatory to blend ethanol with gasoline, and since 2007 the legal blend is around
25% ethanol and 75% gasoline (E25). In addition, by 2010 Brazil had a fleet of more than
10 million flexible-fuel vehicles regularly using neat ethanol fuel (Goettemoeller et. al
2007).
The main objective is to search for a relatively cheaper source for the production
of ethanol & to develop easier techniques for the production so that people can also
produce it by themselves. For this purpose, fruit wastes were used (apple pomace and
rotten banana) as a substrate for the production of ethanol by treating it with distilled
water, small amount of sucrose and Saccharomyces cerevisiae which was collected from
“FRI, Dehradun”. After 36 hrs of fermentation process, a yield of 38% ethanol was
created. After distillation, a total volume of 200 ml of 48% concentrated ethanol from a
total volume of 1500 ml of substrate mixture was recorded. (Bohra and Mishra, 2011)
From the given study, the idea of creating biofuel and bioethanol from fruit
wastes has been clearly shown. So the researchers will use banana and mango peelings
since those fruits are not seasonal and abundant in the Philippines. It is also rich in
sucrose and starch which will be converted to gas or alcohol through fermentation.
Source: International Journal of Advanced Biotechnology Research

Production of Liquid Biofuels

 Process and Technology Status – Biofuels are liquid and gaseous fuels produced
from biomass. This brief deals with the two major liquid biofuels: bioethanol and
biodiesel. Biogas is dealt with in ETSAP P11. Liquid biofuels are usually referred to as
conventional or advanced biofuels. Conventional biofuels are currently produced in many
countries and are based on well-known processes and feedstock (e.g. bioethanol from
sucrose and starchy biomass fermentation and biodiesel from esterification of vegetable
oils). (Irena, 2013)
Since banana and mango peelings will be used to produce bioethanol, the well-
known process for conventional biofuels will also be used. Through this process, the
peels will only undergo fermentation and distillation to extract fuel. In addition, they are
rather expensive and offer more reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
compared to fossil fuels.
Source: Production of Liquid Biofuels

Examining Liquid Biofuels

The bio ethanol fuel was tested by duration by placing it in a cotton ball. The
cotton ball with bio ethanol was fired. This process tested the duration and darkness of
the smoke produced by bio ethanol. The duration and the darkness of the smoke emitted
by kerosene and diesel was tested and compared with their bio ethanol. Also, the bio
ethanol was tested for the chemical composition emitted when it was fired. The process
was also done to kerosene and diesel.
The fire duration was then compared to each other through the use of statistical
analysis. (Asprec, Centeno et. al, 2012)
Testing the banana- mango peelings fire duration will be the same as what on this
study did. The bioethanol will be brought to the Land Transportation Office to identify its
hydrocarbon emission and can effectively compare with banana bioethanol and diesel.
Source: Bio ethanol Fuel out of Fermented Banana (Musa balbasiana) Peelings

Methodology
Research Design
The research design used is the Group Comparison. In this research design, two
groups are being compared; one is the Banana-Mango peelings bioethanol while the other
is the diesel. Both groups were subjected to the same treatments.

Location of the Study

The fermentation of the peelings was conducted at Calamba City Science High
School. However, the extraction was done at Villa de Calamba, Calamba City and
brought to school for testing its fire duration. The percentage ethanol was tested at the
National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UP NIMBB) at University of
the Philippines, Los Baños.

Source of Materials
The materials such as: banana and mango peelings, yeast and cans for the
distillation set up were bought or collected from Calamba area only. The measuring
instruments and laboratory apparatus like: 500mL beaker, 10mL and 100mL graduated
cylinders, evaporating dishes and digital weighing scale were borrowed from the
Calamba City Science High School’s laboratory property.

Procedures
The banana- mango peelings with Saccharomyces cerevisiae was placed in a thin
can attached to a distillation setup and let to ferment for fourteen days. After
fermentation, the can was heated for at least 4 hours to get enough precipitate. The
distilled liquid was then combined with 70% solution of isopropyl alcohol with a
proportion of 1mL: 2.5mL isopropyl alcohol and left to react for four days until it turned
brownish- black. The solution was then filtered. The percent ethanol of banana- mango
peelings bioethanol was tested at UP NIMBB and measured by ethanol- gas
chromatography.

Data Gathering Process

 The cotton balls with two mL of the fuels were lit and its firing duration was
recorded separately per set- up and listed in tabular form. While the percent ethanol of the
banana- mango peelings bioethanol was measured by ethanol- gas chromatography.

Statistical Analysis
The t- test was used for comparing the means of two samples (or treatments),
even if they have different number of replicates.
After measuring the banana- mango peelings bioethanol fuel’s fire duration, the t-
test was used since banana- mango peelings bioethanol fuel would only be compared to
diesel gasoline. The results would be considered statistically significant at 95%
confidence to determine significant differences between the two fuels.

Flow Chart
 Gathering of Materials
(500g of banana and mango peelings each)

Fermentation for two weeks

(The peelings were combined with 100g of
yeast and placed in an air- tight thin can)

Distillation process

Product

Two mL of both the product and One mL of Banana- Mango peelings

diesel gasoline were tested for fire bioethanol was tested for its
duration percentage ethanol content

Tabulation of Data

Results and Discussion

Duration of Fire
Table 1 Duration of each fuel’s combustion
Duration (seconds)
Fuel
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 x
Banana- Mango Peelings
74.55 82.53 72.85 76.38
Bioethanol

Diesel 195.54 171.86 301.98 223.13

Table 4.1 shows that Banana-Mango Peelings bioethanol burns faster than diesel
gasoline. In all trials, diesel lasted longer and Banana- mango peelings ethanol lasted
almost only half of its time.

Statistical Analysis
For determining significant difference between the Banana-mango Peelings
Bioethanol and Diesel’s fire duration, t test was used. The mean of the two fuel’s fire
duration was computed, value of t and degrees of freedom to get the critical value which
is statistically significant at 95% confidence.

Table 2 Table of results of the fuel’s combustion in t test

Fuel x t

Banana-Mango Peelings Bioethnaol 76.38

- 0.08
Diesel 223.13

The degree of freedom used was 2 where the critical value was at 4.303. Based
from the computed values, the value of t was less than the critical value. Meaning, there
was a significant difference between banana- mango peelings bioethanol and diesel in
terms of fire duration. So the null hypothesis was rejected.

Percentage Ethanol
Table 3 Official result from UP Biotech

Sample Code Amount % Ethanol

Banana-Mango Peelings Bioethanol

1 mL 2.23 ± 0.09
(Bio-Ethanol)

From the results, it was hypothesized that the ethanol could have been able to
rival the results of the diesel gas if it went through the distillation process in a more
proper way. If it was done so, the resultant fuel would have a higher concentration of
ethanol which would thusly lead to longer fire durations.

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

Summary
This study deals with the production of a biofuel from banana and mango
peelings. It was tested if it was more effective than diesel in terms of its fire duration. It
also determined what the fuel’s percent ethanol is. The null hypothesis states that
Banana- Mango Peelings bioethanol and diesel gasoline has no significant difference in
terms of firing duration. The alternative hypothesis states that Banana- Mango Peelings
bioethanol and diesel gasoline has significant difference in terms of firing duration.
The fermentation process was conducted at Calamba City Science High School.
However, the distillation was done at Villa de Calamba, Calamba City. The peelings were
combined with 100g Saccharomyces cerevisiae and were left to ferment for two weeks.
After fermentation, it underwent distillation and was added with 70% isopropyl alcohol
which was left to react for four days. The banana- mango peelings bioethanol fuel and
diesel gasoline’s firing duration was tested by putting 2mL of fuel to a cotton ball, lit by a
lighter and measured time by stopwatch. The t-test was used for comparing the two
means of the two fuels’ firing duration and to determine significant differences between
the two.

Summary of Findings
The banana- mango peelings bioethanol and diesel were compared in
terms of fuel combustion by soaking cotton balls with 2mL of each substance and
then setting them on fire. The results show that the banana- mango peelings
bioethanol was able to last for an average of at least a minute while diesel was
able to go for twice as long. The results of the given data were analyzed using t-
test at 95% significant difference in the confidence interval of p<0.05. The value
of t yielded to -0.08, which was lower than the critical value of 4.303 at degree of
freedom of 2. This shows that the fuels’ combustion rates have a significant
difference between them. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected. The
banana- mango bioethanol was sent to the National Institute of Molecular Biology
and Microbiology at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños to determine
how much ethanol is present in the sample. Results of which showed that the
Banana-Mango Peelings bioethanol’s percent ethanol was at 2.23±0.09.
Conclusion
From the given computed data, it show that there is a difference between the fire
duration of the Banana- Mango Peeling bioethanol and the diesel.
The results given by the National Institute of Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology showed that the percent ethanol of the product was at 2.23 ± 0.09.

Recommendation
It is advised to undergo the fuel in a thorough distillation. Using more than
makeshift apparatuses would possibly lead to better results. Various fermentation
durations should also be taken into account. The number of fermentation weeks may
affect the quality of the fuel produced.

Bibliography

Arumugan, R., & Manikandan, M. (n.d.). Fermentation of Pretreated Hydrolyzates of

 Banana and Mango Fruit Wastes for Ethanol Production. AJEBS. Retrieved June
25, 2014, from http://www.ajebs.com/vol6/13.pdf

Biofuel Facts, Biofuel Information - National Geographic. (n.d.). National Geographic.

Retrieved October 9, 2014, from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/
environment/global-warming/biofuel-profile/

Borah, D., & Mishra, V. (2011). Production of Biofuel Out of Fruit Waste. International
Journal of Advanced Biotechnology Research, 1, 71- 74. Retrieved June 23, 2014,
from the Research Gate database.

Klein, D. W., M., L., & John, H. (2006). Microbiology: 6th Edition. New York: McGraw
Hill Financial, Inc.. (Original work published 2005)

Production of Liquid Biofuels. (n.d.). Energy Technology System Analysis Programme.

Retrieved June 23, 2014, from http://www.irena.org/ DocumentDownloads/
Publications/IRENA-ETSAP%20Tech%20Brief% 20P10%20Production _
of_Liquid%20 Biofuels.pdf

Saccharomyces cerevisiae. (n.d.). Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Retrieved October

24, 2014, from http://www.microbiologybytes.com/video/Scerevisiae.html
Appendix