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Page 1: Journal of Atoms and Molecules - jamonline.in · Journal of Atoms and Molecules ... help of soxhlet apparatus (Winayanuwattikun et al., ... range of Thai Standard EN 14214

J. Atoms and Molecules/ 3(6); 2013 / 617–624 Mahmood R et al

All rights reserved© 2011 www.jamonline.in 617

Research article

Journal of Atoms and Molecules An International Online JournalAn International Online JournalAn International Online JournalAn International Online Journal ISSN ISSN ISSN ISSN –––– 2277 2277 2277 2277 –––– 1247124712471247

SUAEDA FRUTICOSA (L) FROSSK. A POTENTIAL BIOENERGY CROP FOR INARABLE LANDS OF PAKISTAN

Rashid Mahmood*1, Muhammad Umar Hayyat1, Syed Waseem Hassan2, Rab Nawaz1, Atika Subhani1, Kiran Irshad 1

1Sustainable Development Study Centre, GC University Lahore, Pakistan. 2Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, University College of Agriculture, University of

Sargodha, Pakistan.

Received on: 12-12-2013 Revised on: 22-12-2013 Accepted on: 29–12–2013

ABSTRACT:

Suaeda fruticosa (L) Frossk. a halophyte was collected from the archeological site Harrappa at its mature stage. The objective of present study was to evaluate the Suaeda fruticosa from unfertile land for biofuel production, because it could be a cheap, easily available and renewable energy biomass. Oil from the seeds was extracted by soxhelt apparatus and was analyzed for water contents (0.21%), organic carbon (22.48%), crude protein (18.24%) and viscosity (40.0 mm²/sec) at 30°C. The transestrification of extracted oil was conducted to produce biofuel (methyl ester). Kinematic viscosity, flash point and specific gravity of biodiesel were also analyzed. The stem and branches, inflorescence and cake were also analyzed for ash contents, density, carbon and nitrogen contents. Results showed that Suaeda fruticosa has potential as bioenergy crop. It abundantly grows on the unfertile, saline land and able to use for the oil production. This study will help in possible utilization of large saline area for economic and ecological gains, which is otherwise unproductive.

KEY WORDS: Halophyte, uncultivated land, oil production, transesterification, affordable energy

INTRODUCTION:

Irrigation has caused the accumulation of salts above normal concentrations in arable lands, as high rates of evaporation and transpiration in arid and semiarid regions of the world. This leads to a serious environmental hazard in the form of soil salinity. On the other hand marginal and saline waste lands are inarable for traditional crops. Increased population resulted in high demand for crop production. For the last 30 years halophytes have been tried for crop production in the world. Different

* Corresponding author

Rashid Mahmood,

Email: [email protected] Tel: +92-42-99213698

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J. Atoms and Molecules/ 3(6); 2013 / 617–624 Mahmood R et al

All rights reserved© 2011 www.jamonline.in 618

investigations on the selection of halophytes with economic value and their use have been carried out as source of food, fiber and bioenergy. Inarable salt affected lands are required to produce non conventional crops of high economic value (Dagar, 2005; Gago et al., 2011. Halophytes can succeed as crops having characters like reasonable yield, low water requirements as compare to conventional crops and suitable local uses. This sensible use of inarable salt affected soils adds to the supply of energy, food and forage and also mitigates further their degradation (Reddy et al., 2008).

The world energy resources are finite and being consumed rapidly, among them petroleum is used vastly. To meet the present and future energy demands there is sharp need to explore renewable energy sources particularly from wastelands. The accessibility of feedstock for generating biofuels relies on the local environment, geographical sites, and indigenous soil settings (Atabani et al., 2012). The substitute fuels are essential to assure the right use of inarable areas to supply affordable energy. Currently, liquid biofuel were recognized as a promising substitute to conventional biomass energy (Sonnleitner et al., 2013).

Biomass might be renewed to biofuels through chemical, as bio-methanol and biodiesel manufacture. Biofuels from plants such as wheat, sugar beet, and corn cause the food shortage for human and livestock (Demirbas, 2008). Halophytes as energy source can overcome this mega problem of biofuels. Halophytes are plants of saline habitats that grow under conditions that may vary in extremes of temperatures, water availability even drought to water logging and extreme salinity (Abideen et al., 2011; Glenn et al., 2013).

In view of Suaeda fruticosa (L.) Forssk. utilities and salt tolerant nature (Weber et al.,

2007), the present study was designed to evaluate it as bioenergy crop on the bases of oil production and feedstock for solid biofuel. For this purpose it was collected from the archeological site Harrappa at its mature stage, when seeds were present in ripened form, oil was extracted and other plant parts were analysed for solid biofuel. This study will help in possible utilization of huge saline area (44.10 million hectares) in Pakistan (GOP, 2009), for economic and ecological gains, which was otherwise unproductive.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Plant materials

Suaeda fruticosa (L) Frossk. a halophyte was collected from the archeological site Harrappa at its mature stage. Plant material was air dried and separated according to different plant parts like seeds, inflorescence without seeds, stem, branches and leaves. The material was grinded and crushed into fine powder. The plant material is sieved through a sieve having very small size of pores. After sieving the most refined form of seeds was obtained (Wang and Yu, 2012).

Oil extraction from seeds

The oil was extracted from the seeds with the help of soxhlet apparatus (Winayanuwattikun et al., 2008). Ethanol (150 ml) was added into flask of soxhlet and seeds (10 g) into thimble and then run the apparatus for 6-8 hours. After collecting the material from the apparatus then pour into beaker. Put the beaker in hot water bath at 78 temperatures for 2 hours for the evaporation of ethanol (Wang and Yu, 2012). The oil content is determined as the difference in the weight of before and after the extraction using formula (Reddy et al., 2008).

Oil content (%) = ��� �����

�� �� ����� × 100

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J. Atoms and Molecules/ 3(6); 2013 / 617–624 Mahmood R et al

All rights reserved© 2011 www.jamonline.in 619

Conversion of oil into biodiesel by transesterification

After the evaporation of ethanol heat the material for 35 minutes and after heating keep the beaker at room temperature for one hour. Sodium ethoxide was prepared by adding 2gm of NaOH and 100ml of pure ethanol. The measured amount of NaOH and pure ethanol mix in beaker and stir it for 30 minutes. Transesterification is the reaction with the basic catalyst NaOH mixed with an alcohol (methanol) to prepare sodium methoxide, which was used to form methyl esters (Biodiesel) from fatty acids of plant seed oil. When the temperature of heated seed oil reached at 60 °C, sodium methoxide was mixed in it and continuously stirred for 30 minutes. Mixture was allowed to settle down in the separating funnel for 8 hours. Two layers were generated, methyl ester was at the top and glycerol was settled down at the bottom (Ahmad et al., 2009). Kinematic viscosity at 40 °C (mm2/s), flash point (°C) and specific gravity (gm/ml) of biodiesel were analyzed (Ahmed et al., 2012) from PCSIR Labs and were compared with Thai Standard EN 14214 (2004).

Characteristics of Suaeda oil and solid biofuel

Characteristics of Suaeda oil (water content %, organic carbon %, crude protein % and viscosity mm2/s) and Suaeda’s solid biofuel (parts of Suaeda, ash content %, density g/ml, carbon and nitrogen content %) were measured. Water content of oil was determined by heating oil (5ml) in hot water bath at 70°C for 30 minutes, the loss in volume in oil quantity showed the water contents. Crude protein was calculated after the determination of nitrogen contents by Kjeldahl’s method. Viscosity is determined in viscometer by providing temperature 30°C. While organic carbon was determined by burning oil under the burner, the organic

matter was evaporated in the form of carbon dioxide. By measuring this loss of carbon dioxide organic carbon was measured (Charoenchaitrakool and Thienmethangkoon, 2008). Oven dried stem and branches, inflorescence and cake (1g each) burned to determine the ash contents. Density was calculated after determining mass of air dried plant material, was taken in cylinder and raises the volume up to 1000ml to determine the volume. Nitrogen contents were determined by Kjeldahl’s method (behr Inkjel M Kjeldahl apparatus). While carbon content was determined by burning oven dried stem and branches, inflorescence and cake under the burner, the organic matter was evaporated in the form of carbon dioxide.

RESULTS:

Oil Production from Suaeda fruticosa (L) Frossk.

Ethanol and n-hexane were used for the extraction of oil from seeds, results depicted that extraction through ethanol is more effective than n-hexane. Oil yield was 23% in ethanol as extractor while it was only 10% in n-hexane. The higher percentage of oil yield by ethanol showed that this chemical was more efficient than n-hexane (Table 1). Comparison of Suaeda oil yield with conventional energy crops although showed that 7-10% less yield. But this reduction in yield made it better energy crops as compare to conventional energy crops due to its characters like growth on saline soil (inarable soil), perennial habit and none input for cultivation (Figure 1 & Table 1).

Characteristics of Suaeda oil and solid biofuel

The oil extracted from seeds was analyzed for water contents, organic carbon and crude protein. Suaeda oil had 0.21% water contents, organic carbon 22.48%, and crude protein 18.24% whereas viscosity was 40.00 mm2/s.

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J. Atoms and Molecules/ 3(6); 2013 / 617–624 Mahmood R et al

All rights reserved© 2011 www.jamonline.in 620

The characteristics of solid biofuel showed that ash contents were 1.93, 2.01 and 1.26% of stem & branches, inflorescence and cake respectively. While stem & branches, inflorescence and cake had 0.72, 0.51 and 0.81 g/ml density respectively. Carbon contents of stem & branches, inflorescence and cake were 46.22, 39.56and 48.02% respectively, regarding nitrogen contents of these parts were 1.11, 1.34 and 0.82% respectively (Table 2).

Transesterification of Suaeda Oil

Basic catalyst (NaOH) was used to transesterificate Suaeda oil. Biodiesel obtained after transesterification of Suaeda oil was tested to check its suitability. Kinematic viscosity at 40 °C was 4.89 mm2/s, flash point was 118 °C and specific gravity was 0.886 gm/ml. These properties were within the range of Thai Standard EN 14214 (2004), affirmed it as biodiesel (Table 3).

Evaluation of Potential of Suaeda fruticosa (L) Frossk. as Bioenergy Crop

Suaeda fruticosa was evaluated as bioenergy plant on the basis of characteristics of biodiesel and solid biofuel. It is an abundant halophyte Suaeda fruticosa, it grows on the unfertile, saline soils (inarable soil). Dry biomass of Suaeda fruticosa was 2.56 Kg m-2 and seed yield was 100 g m-2 (Table 1). It can produce 28.22 ton dry biomass and seed mass 1.10 ton per hectare. The oil contents in its seeds are 23%. Presently its oil is inedible. So it has no potential to challenge food security while using for bioenergy purposes. Food security is an inherited problem of the most conventional bioenergy crops (Figure 1). The different parameters of solid biofuel (ash contents, density, carbon contents, nitrogen contents) and liquid biofuel (organic carbon, viscosity, water contents, crude protein) proved Suaeda fruticosa as bioenergy crop.

DISCUSSION:

The collection and reproduction of wild plants as new plant resources emerge to be the largely reasonable means to overcome in short supply fossil-fuel energy catastrophe (Ruan et al., 2012). In semi-arid areas crops require huge irrigation provisions to get reasonable production. Salinization is a wide-reaching dilemma, predominantly in irrigated lands (Abbas et al., 2013). The utilization of these inarable lands is major challenge especially in developing countries. Their use for agriculture can become additional source for food and energy security in these countries. Biodiesel is one of the most excellent fuel alternatives that researchers are determined. Seed oil is a major factor to determine a plant as potential source of biodiesel (Ruan et al., 2012).

Seed oil contents more than 15% are required to declare a plant as bioenergy crop (Ahmad et al., 2009). Oil yield of Suaeda fruticosa is 23 % which is reasonable, and 8% more as compare to minimum required level. Although Suaeda oil content is 7-10% less than conventional energy crops, being plant of inarable land this decrease in yield is not considerable. It is better energy crop because it does not require fertilizers as conventional energy crops demand large amount of fertilizers (Figure 1). Similar findings were reported by Ahmad et al (2009). The transesterification response is the finest means for production and alteration of biodiesel (Kiakalaieh et al., 2013).

The viscosity of oil is vital for the reason that it gives a signal of the ignition quality of biodiesel and the energy for each element accumulation (definite energy). This is capable of control the competence of the fuel atomization for heavy burning method. Combustion of fuel contains sulfur causes emissions of sulfur oxides. Most of vegetable oils and animal fat- based biodiesel have extremely small intensity of sulfur substance.

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Whereas biodiesel is typically careful to be insoluble in water, it essentially takes up significantly additional quantity of water than diesel fuel. On other hand, water content of biodiesel decreases the heat of ignition and will cause deterioration of vital fuel system apparatus fuel pumps, injector pumps, fuel tubes (Atabani et al., 2013). Suaeda fruticosa was evaluated as bioenergy plant on the basis of characteristics of biodiesel and solid biofuel. It is concluded from the present investigations that biofuel production from abundant halophyte Suaeda fruticosa can be useful. As this halophyte abundantly grow on the unfertile, saline region of Pakistan and have the potential for the oil production.

The different parameters of liquid biofuel (water contents organic carbon, viscosity and crude protein) and solid biofuel (ash contents, density, carbon and nitrogen contents) proved Suaeda fruticosa as bioenergy crop. Under storage for long time degradation of biodiesel is a major problem (Hassan & Kalam, 2013), it can be resolved by producing and storing at indigenous level. Demand of alternatives energy sources has increased to overcome the growing energy demand due to loss of fossil fuels. Other than this, indigenous bioenergy sources like Suaeda fruticosa are important in economy and rural development and hence it is renewable source of energy. Thus, the shift towards bioenergy and renewable resources is environmental friendly.

CONCLUSION:

This study proposes that Suaeda fruticosa can be a potential bioenergy crop other than conventional bioenergy crops. It can cultivate without intruding arable land. Its cultivation is inexpensive in terms of fertilizers and other maintenance cost. Feedstock availability for biodiesel production can be managed by it without food security issue.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

We are gratefully acknowledged Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University Lahore for providing the necessary funding to carry out this research, Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR) Labs Lahore and Curator of Harrapa Archaeological Site, Department of Archaeology, Government of Pakistan for kind cooperation.

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7) Dagar JC. Ecology management and utilization of halophyte. Bull Nat Inst Ecol. 2005; 15:81–89.

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Fig 1: Comparison of percentage oil production from seeds of Suaeda with conventional energy crops

Table 1: Oil extraction from Suaeda fruticosa (L) Frossk. and its growth & habitat characters

Oil extractor

Amount of extractor used

(ml)

Seeds’ oil contents

(%)

Growth habit of S. fruticosa

Ecological distribution of S.

fruticosa

Dry biomass m-

2 of S. fruticosa (Kg)

Seed m-2 of S. fruticosa (g)

Ethanol 150 23±1.11 Perennial, branched shrub

Up to 170-190 cm

Saline, barren and uncultivated region

2.56±0.21

100.00±3.24

n-hexane 150 10±0.50

Sunflower, 30

Mustard, 33

Castor Bean,

32

Suaeda, 23

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J. Atoms and Molecules/ 3(6); 2013 / 617–624 Mahmood R et al

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Table 2: Characteristics of Suaeda oil and solid biofuel

Characteristics of Suaeda oil Characteristics of Suaeda’ s solid biofuel

Water

Content %)

Organic

Carbon (%)

Crude

Protein (%)

Viscosity

(mm2/s)

Parts of Suaeda Ash

contents %)

Density

(g/ml)

Carbon

contents (%)

Nitrogen

contents (%)

0.21±0.01

22.48±1.07

18.24±0.87

40.0±1.20

Stem and branches 1.93±0.11 0.72±0.03 46.22±1.12 1.11±0.12

Inflorescence 2.01±0.24 0.51±0.05 39.56±1.16 1.34±0.20

Cake 1.26±0.13 0.81±0.04 48.02±0.96 0.82±0.56

Table 3: Characteristics of Suaeda biodiesel

Properties Testing method Suaeda biodiesel Thai Standard EN 14214 (2004)

Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C (mm2/s) ASTM D445 4.89±0.34 3.5-5.0

Flash Point (°C) ASTM D93 118.00±2.06 >101

Specific gravity (gm/ml) ASTM D1298 0.886±0.001 0.86-0.90

How to cite this article:

Mahmood R, Hayyat U.M, Hassan W.S, Nawaz R, Subhani A, Irshad K “Suaeda fruticosa (L) Frossk. A potential bioenergy crop for in arable lands of Pakistan” J. Atoms and Molecules, 3(6), 2013: 617 – 624.