Potential of Jackfruit Waste as Anaerobic Digestion and Slow Pyrolysis Feedstock

• Published in: Journal of Biosystems Engineering Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 163 - 172
• Main Authors: Nsubuga, Denis, Banadda, Noble, Kabenge, Isa, Wydra, Kerstin D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Singapore 2021
• Subjects: Agriculture; Control; Engineering; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Mechatronics; Original Article; Robotics; Characterisation; Peelings; Anaerobic digestion; Slow pyrolysis; Jackfruit waste
• ISSN: 1738-1266; 2234-1862
• DOI: 10.1007/s42853-021-00096-9

Purpose The estimated annual worldwide production of jackfruit peelings (JP) and jackfruit seeds is 2.96 million tonnes. This study assesses the suitability of this jackfruit waste from soft and firm jackfruit varieties as potential feedstocks for anaerobic digestion and slow pyrolysis. Methods Proximate, ultimate, calorific values, thermogravimetric, compositional and lignocellulosic analyses were conducted. Results The volatile matter, fixed carbon, hydrogen and carbon content of soft and firm jackfruit waste (peelings and seeds) ranged between 76.81 and 78.83%, 18.28 and 19.42%, 5.43 and 7.13% and 43.89 and 48.08%, respectively. The higher heating values (HHV) of soft and firm jackfruit waste ranged between 17.42 and 19.81 MJ/kg. The ash content of jackfruit waste from both varieties varied within the recommended range of less than 8%. The starch content of jackfruit peelings and seeds from both soft and firm varieties ranged between 29.05 and 59.54% while the sugar content of jackfruit peelings and seeds from soft and firm varieties ranged from 2.04 to 68.8%. The maximum weight degradation rate for the jackfruit waste for both jackfruit varieties occurred in the temperature range of 450–550 °C which is within the slow pyrolysis regime. Generally, cellulose formed the biggest proportions of the lignocellulosic composition followed by hemicellulose and lignin. Conclusion Jackfruit waste from both soft and firm varieties is a potential feed stock for slow pyrolysis while soft variety jackfruit waste is more suitable for biogas production compared to the firm jackfruit wastes.