The potential of biogas production from fruit wastes (Watermelon, Mango and Pawpaw)

Anika Ogemdi Chinwendu 1, 2, *, Akin-Osanaiye Bukola Catherine 2, Asikong Ernest Bassey 1 and Edet Uwem Okon 1, 3

1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Abuja, PMB 117, Abuja, Nigeria
3 Obong University, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Obong Ntak, Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2019, 01(03), 052–065.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2019.1.3.0026
 
Publication history: 
Received on 06 April 2019; revised on 23 April 2019; accepted on 26 April 2019
 
Abstract: 
The study determined the potential of biogas production from fruit wastes: mango, pawpaw and watermelon and their combinations. Fixed batch type anaerobic digesters were locally fabricated and used for the study. Retention time was for 45 days. The different substrates were prepared into slurry treatments by grinding and mixing with water in the ratio of 1:3, and 1:2 for only watermelon treatment because of its high moisture content. Determination of process pH, temperature and viable anaerobic counts were carried out to monitor how their variations in the anaerobic digesters affected the biogas production process, using pH meter, mercury in glass thermometer and a locally designed anaerobic glove box. Quantification of biogas yield was by liquid displacement. The pH, temperature and anaerobic counts varied over the 45 days retention time. The total volume of biogas produced from each digester at the end of the digestion was 2971 cm3, 1577 cm3, 83 cm3, 5103 cm3, 1630 cm3, 916 cm3, and 4348 cm3, from watermelon (W), mango (M), pawpaw (P), watermelon + melon (WM), pawpaw + water melon (PW), mango and  pawpaw (MP) and mango, watermelon, and pawpaw (MWP), respectively. The excellent biodegradability potential displayed by watermelon waste and to a lesser extent mango waste is of great importance in waste management and the energy transition vision of Nigeria.
Keywords: 
Biogas production; Fruit wastes; Biodegradability potential; Waste management; Energy transition
 
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Copyright information: 
Copyright © 2019 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0

 

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