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Comparative biochemical methane potential of some varieties of residual banana biomass and renewable energy potential

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Abstract

The biochemical methane potential (BMP) of peduncles, bulbs, and peels of three banana varieties (Grande Naine (GN; export dessert banana), Pelipita (PPTA; locally used plantain), and CRBP969 (phytopathogen resistant hybrid-plantain)) was investigated as an assessment of the bioconversion potential of these residues to renewable energy or biorefined chemicals. Biogas production was monitored manometrically for 132 days and its composition was analyzed using gas chromatography. The BMP ranged from 162 to 257 ml_CH4/g_DM for peduncles, from 228 to 304 ml_CH4/g_DM for bulbs, and from 208 to 303 ml_CH4/g_DM for green peels, with methane content of the biogas in the range 56 to 60 %. Bulbs and green peels showed bioconversion yields of 95 % of the chemical oxygen demand (COD). The GN variety was generally more biodigestible than PPTA, which appeared richer in lignocellulosic fibres. The peels biodigestibility reduced with maturation and was already limited to 56 % of the COD at the yellow stage. The energy resource available in the residues of banana production is very significant, increasing by 91 % the energy resource offered by banana crop, which is generally limited to the nutritional value of the fruit pulp. In the study case of the African leading producer of bananas and plantains (Cameroon), the amount of available residues from the sole export variety GN could feed about 4 % of the annual electricity consumed by the country, i.e., a supply of electricity to an additional 9 × 105 people. Such valorization of the residual banana biomass could help banana-producing countries to become less dependent on fossil fuels and less prone to energy shortages.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Anaerobic digestion

BMP:

Biochemical methane potential

CARBAP:

African Research Centre on Bananas and Plantains

CHP:

Combined heat and power plant

CRBP:

Previous name of CARBAP

COD:

Chemical oxygen demand

DM:

Dry matter

FM:

Fresh matter

GC:

Gas chromatography

GN:

Grande Naine

PHP:

Plantations Haut Penja

PPTA:

Pelipita

VS:

Volatile solids

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Acknowledgments

Financial support and scholarship for this study (Project “Programme Interuniversitaire Cible: Valorization of banana residues and contribution to local sustainable development”) were provided by the Commission Universitaire pour le Développement (CUD) and Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) from Belgium. The authors are also grateful to the research staff from the Bioengineering Unit (UCL, Belgium), to the post-harvest technology laboratory, CARBAP-Cameroon, and to the laboratory for Food Science and Metabolism, LabSAM-Cameroon. A great acknowledgment to Thomas Nicolay, Florian Tiappi, Achu Mercy Bih, and Raphaël Tchokouassom for their technical support and assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earth and Life Institute / Applied Microbiology / Bioengineering, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud, 2—L7.05.19, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

    Florent Awedem Wobiwo & Patrick A. Gerin

  2. Laboratory for Food Science and Metabolism, Department of Biochemistry, University of Yaoundé I, P. O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Florent Awedem Wobiwo & Elie Fokou

  3. Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, University of Yaoundé I, P. O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Florent Awedem Wobiwo & Maurice Boda

  4. Post harvest Technology Laboratory, African Research Centre on Bananas and Plantains (CARBAP), Njombé, P. O. Box 832, Douala, Cameroon

    Thomas Happi Emaga

  5. Unit of Biological and Industrial Chemistry, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030, Gembloux, Belgium

    Sebastien Gillet & Aurore Richel

  6. Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics at Interfaces, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030, Gembloux, Belgium

    Magali Deleu

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  1. Florent Awedem Wobiwo
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  2. Thomas Happi Emaga
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Correspondence to Patrick A. Gerin.

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Wobiwo, F.A., Emaga, T.H., Fokou, E. et al. Comparative biochemical methane potential of some varieties of residual banana biomass and renewable energy potential. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 7, 167–177 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-016-0222-x

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