Ensilage of pineapple processing waste for methane generation.
Pineapple peel wastes, which are seasonal, comprise of peels and rags. Their disposal poses a serious environmental pollution problem. Since pineapple peel is rich in cellulose, hemicellulose and other carbohydrates it was found to be a potential substrate for methane generation by anaerobic digestion. Ensilaging of pineapple peel resulted in the conversion of 55% carbohydrates into volatile fatty acids. The ensilage of pineapple processing wastes reduced the biological oxygen demand by 91%. Biogas digester fed with ensilaged pineapple peel resulted in the biogas yield of 0.67 m3/kg volatile solids (VS) added with methane content of 65% whereas fresh and dried pineapple peels gave biogas yields of 0.55% and 0.41 m3/kg VS added and methane content of 51% and 41% respectively.
Rani
D Swaroopa
DS
Department of Food Microbiology, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore-570 013, India. roopadasari@hotmail.com
Nand
Krishna
K
D031230:Ananas; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000378:metabolism; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D007194:India; D007218:Industrial Microbiology; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis*; D012820:Silage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
D002241:Carbohydrates; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008697:Methane