2009/02/09

Sample Science Research Project: LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA LEAVES AS A SOURCE OF ETHANOL

ABSTRACT

Ethanol nowadays cost high especially in third world countries where the production of the chemical is scarce and technological advancement is lacking. In response, this study intends to produce ethanol which is a quite expensive and industrially useful chemical from Leucaena Leucocephala (commonly known as Ipil-Ipil) leaves which is abundant in tropical countries like the Philippines.
The experiment was conducting by fermenting the extracted starch from the leaves using the species, saccharomyces cerevisiae the setup was fermented for five days until there are no more bubbles of carbon dioxide rising from the fermentation vessel’s bottom. After the fermentation process, the fermented extract was then distilled through the simple and fractional distillation setups and produced a clear liquid known as the distillate.
The distillate has then undergone tests for the presence of ethanol and showed the following results: boiling point of 110˚C, density of 1.06 g/cm3, a reaction of a dark greenish-brown color with the Jones reagent, and a specific gravity of 1.05 which are the properties of acetic acid.
It is therefore concluded that Leucaena Leucocephala leaves can be a source of ethanol since acetic acid can only be present if there is the presence of ethanol. And it is recommended that the study be re-conducted and take note more on the strict rules of fermentation.



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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

i would like to know how the group distilled the ethanol constituents,how its being done, and the procedure in distilling????
..

Chemi said...

the group uses fractional distillation in the regulated laboratory.

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