Optimization of organic acid production from anerobic digestion of durian waste

• Main Author: Muhammad Muaz Bin Shamsul
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: ANAEROBIC DIGESTION; ORGANIC ACID; VOLATILE FATTY ACID

Durian is a highly known fruit in South East Asia. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines are among the top producers in the world which more than 1.6million tons are yield every year combined. Some of the yield products are exported to China and other countries. Approximately 60% of durian consists of its shell. Approximately 1million tons per year are discarded as the inedible portion of durian from the consumption process. Thus, in this project, the shell of the durian is used in anaerobic digestion to the production of acid. the production of acid is determined from two different method. First alkali pre-treatment where durian shell is treated with 1mol, 2mol and 3mol of NaOH. The results showed that the durian shell treated with 0.2mol of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) produces the highest concentration of lactic acid. second method is by combining durian shell and cow manure at different ratio. Which is 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1. The results obtained, is 2:1 produces the highest concentration of lactic acid. The results of both of the project are then compared and the durian shell which treated with 2mol in first method produces more lactic acid than the entire reactor. The result of this project is used to make a conclusion with further recommendation.