“Turning Potato Waste Into Bioethanol To Make Liquid Shellac”

Janice Alyssa O. Boloron, Jasmine Li G. Gangoso, Selena Marlet A. Cabahug

Introduction

According to a 2014 study conducted by Value Chain Management International, families of

four spend approximately $1,760 (100,761.76 pesos) per year on wasted food. Waste from

the food industry needs to be addressed through recycling or reusing it as fertilizer, which

helps reduce harmful pollutants in wastewater treatment plants and is environmentally

friendly (CITY OF EDMONTON). The potato industry generates a large amount of waste that

can be converted into Bioethanol via microbial fermentation using anaerobic digestion (Anna

M. Kot et al). Microbial fermentation is a natural process that converts larger organic

molecules into smaller ones (Timothy J. Tse et al). When this occurs in the absence of

oxygen, a liquid biofuel known as bioethanol is produced by ABE (anaerobic bioreactor)

technology. The Philippines passed a law in 2013 mandating that diesel and gasoline sold

within the country be blended with 2% and 10% ethanol, respectively (Marietta M. Quejada

et al). Potato-based bioethanol could possibly replace ethanol in liquid shellac, a resin used

to make sealing wax and other products. The process of making liquid shellac involves

dissolving shellac in ethanol. Originally used to mold phonograph records and fine clay or

other filler, it has been replaced by synthetic thermoplastics such as vinyl resins since the

early 1930s (Amy Tikkanen).

This study aims to:

● Determine whether or not liquid shellac can be made using bioethanol

● How much is bioethanol required to dissolve shellac

● And if bioethanol is more effective to use instead of ethanol

Food waste is becoming a growing problem, because it emits greenhouse gases such as

methane and carbon dioxide when disposed of in landfills. The emissions contribute to

global warming and climate change. Landfills are also an inefficient way to dispose of food

waste since they take up space in land that could be used for other purposes (Jaskiran Kaur
et al.). Individuals, businesses, and organizations should make more efforts to recycle and

reduce the amount of food waste produced on a daily basis.

Conceptual Framework

Table 1.

Table 2.

This study is important because it raises awareness of the food waste problem and

demonstrates how you can help reduce its effects by using potato waste found at home, as

well as a method to use bioethanol.

Methodology

The research will be conducted in a truel-experimental manner, using bioethanol as a

solvent for liquid shellac. The amount required and the length of time it takes to dissolve will

be accounted for, helping researchers understand the specific ratio and time taken to create

liquid shellac.

Material & Equipment

This research, however, requires the approval of our teachers and parents, as well as the

necessary equipment and funds.

References

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Awogbemi, O.; Kallon, D.V.V.; Owoputi, A.O. Biofuel Generation from Potato Peel Waste:

Current State and Prospects. Recycling2022,7,23. https:// doi.org/10.3390/recycling7020023

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Bar, H., & Bianco-Peled, H. (2021). The unique nanostructure of shellac films. Progress in

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