Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies
Abstract: This study entitled “Ethanol Production from Waste Banana Peelings” aims to produce an alternative way in producing energy. Production of green energy from waste material has played an important role in recent days due to the depletion of non-renewable energy resources. Ethyl alcohol commonly called as Ethanol, is found useful widely as an alternative fuel for engines. In view of the growing demand of the ethanol, search of an alternative source for its production has also been increased. Banana is one of the most familar and widely used fruit. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, India is the largest banana producing nation. Many items like banana chips, juice, banana cue are made from banana. After the consumption of the flesh, the peelings are just thrown as garbage with no use. India is facing two major problems, energy crisis and proper waste disposal. So, we are here with an idea of using that waste peelings to produce ethanol to help for its increasing demand in the present situation.
Method:
The production of Ethanol from Banana peels involves two phases.
i)Fermentation
ii)Distillation
The peels of nendran variety of bananas are taken as they are rich in cellulose and are kept in hot oven at 338K and dried sample is taken and is dissolved in hot water for starch extraction through soxhlet apparatus. This solution is treated with amylase enzyme for hydrolysis of starch to occur. It is the subjected to fermentation process by inoculation of S.cerevisiae for 3 days at 300K which results in the production of ethanol.
Ethanol from the solution is extracted by the Steam distillation which is the most efficient of all the distillation
Bibliography: www.techtop.in/asset http://www.sciencedirect.com http://region3.dost.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=402:ethanol-production-from-waste-banana-peelings-&catid=15:chemistry&Itemid=45