Utilization of Coconut Pulp as Raw Material for Bioethanol Production

Abstract

South Sulawesi has potential in the development of bioethanol from biomass because it has a plantation sector which is a mainstay sector with various types of commodities that can produce biomass. One biomass that has the potential as a raw material for bioethanol is coconut pulp. The reason for choosing coconut pulp as raw material for bioethanol production is because the cellulose rate is 36.08%; hemicellulose is 12.58%, besides that coconut is the main commodity crop in the plantation sector in South Sulawesi and its utilization will not interfere with food needs so that it will ensure smooth production of bioethanol. This study aims to produce bioethanol with coconut pulp raw materials using physical pretreatment namely autoclave. Autoclave pretreatment results are followed by fermentation using yeast for 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 days anaerobically and adding urea and NPK as nitrogen sources during the fermentation process. The result of fermentation was then distilled to obtain bioethanol for 12-72 hours. The highest bioethanol content was obtained after 13 days of fermentation which was 6,2683%. This pretreatment uses the influence of temperature and pressure to degrade lignin in coconut pulp to optimize fermentation results. Based on mapping the amount of coconut pulp, a coconut pulp supply network model can be produced at the upstream level including supply sources, depots and bioethanol plants.