Optimisation and characterisation of biodiesel from biodegradation of organic wastes by black soldier fly larvae

<p>This research aimed to optimise and characterise environmental friendly biodiesel produced through biodegradation of organic wastes by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae. This research is divided into four main studies, namely characterisation of organic wastes, cultivatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Syukriyah Ishak
Format: thesis
Language:eng
Published: 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ir.upsi.edu.my/detailsg.php?det=8835
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Summary:<p>This research aimed to optimise and characterise environmental friendly biodiesel produced through biodegradation of organic wastes by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae. This research is divided into four main studies, namely characterisation of organic wastes, cultivation of insect larvae, characterisation of insect larval lipid and determination of the properties of insect larval biodiesel. The organic wastes used for cultivation of insect larvae were food kitchen waste (FKW), soya residue (SR) and mixed waste (MW). The main scientific instruments used in this study were Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer and gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID). For organic wastes and insect larvae characterisation, several analyses such as content of moisture, protein, carbohydrate, ash and fat, pH value and crude fiber were carried out. The extraction of larval lipid was conducted using Soxhlet method and underwent a two-step transesterification process to produce biodiesel. The highest yield of biodiesel (95.80%) was from black soldier fly larval lipid as a result of fed by FKW followed by SR (90.26%) and MW (90.25%). FTIR and NMR analyses confirmed the successful transformation of larval lipid to biodiesel by the appearance of the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) functional groups in the spectra. While, GC-FID analysis showed the FAME composition of biodiesel comprised of both saturated (lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, capric acid and stearic acid) and unsaturated (oleic acid, palmitoleic acid and linoleic acid) FAME. The produced insect larval biodiesel met the value recommended by American Society for Test and the Materials (ASTM) D6751 and European (EN) 14214 standards. In conclusion, black soldier fly larvae were able to convert organic wastes studied to biodiesel. In implication, the insect larvae can be potentially applied as a low-cost biodiesel feedstock for reducing the operational cost of biodiesel production.</p>