Académique Documents
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1a. Utilization of Coconut‐Based Lignocellulosic Biomass for Ethanol Production.
The project is temporarily halted due to the delayed approval of requested pressure cooker
and hot plate with magnetic stirrer needed for acid‐based hydrolysis experiments. Breaking
down of plant materials (cellulose, hemicellulloses, and lignin) into sugar monomers requires
combination of treatments (mechanical, chemical, and biological) prior to ethanol
fermentation and distillation.
Crucial to the optimization process (i.e. to find the best treatment parameters to produce the
highest amount of fermentable sugars with the least unwanted side products is the use of
High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC). For this month, laboratory activities were
focused on the familiarization on the use of Shimadzu HPLC.
Initial results from coconut water samples showed the potentials of using HPLC to determine
the types and quantity the amount sugars present from coconut biomass hydrolysates and
from coconut water (buko and mature) and inflorescence sap (toddy).
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Graph No. 1. Chromatogram of coconut water (buco stage, Aromatic variety).
Graph No. 3. Chromatogram of coconut water (Mature stage, Aromatic variety).
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Graph No. 4. Chromatogram of coconut water (mature stage, unknown variety)
Based on initial results, it appeared that the composition of coconut water varies between
varieties/cultivars and maturity. Aromatic dwarf variety has high in fructose followed by
glucose. Sucrose and maltose were also detected but of lesser concentration (Graph
No.1). Ordinary buko water (unknown variety) has the same major sugars‐ fructose,
sucrose and sucrose but in lower in concentrations compared to aromatic dwarf variety.
A trace amount of lactose was also detected (Graph No.2).
Coconut water from mature nuts showed that in aromatic dwarf variety, sucrose is the
dominant sugar followed by sucrose. The amount of fructose is now greatly reduced as
compared to that in the buko stage. Trace amounts of maltose and lactose were also
detected. On the other hand, dominant sugars found in mature coconut water (unknown
variety) are sucrose and fructose. Both sugars are almost of the same concentration unlike
in the aromatic dwarf variety (mature) where the concentration of sucrose is almost twice
as that of fructose. A trace amount of lactose was also detected. Exact concentration of
these sugars will soon be quantified using the same HPLC.
The implication for this is that we can now characterize the composition of different
sugars in coconut water among different varieties/cultivars and in the different stages of
maturity. In the future PCA can suggest to coconut water processors the appropriate
coconut variety and age for their specific requirement.
In 2017 when he was still the OIC of Agronomy, Soils, and Farming Systems Division, Dr.
Melencion submitted a capsule proposal (including work and financial plans) on this
researchable area entitled “Characterization of the chemical composition (sugars,
minerals, & vitamins) of coconut water of different coconut cultivars at different stages of
maturity” for funding. The said proposal, however, did not get the necessary funding for
2018.
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2. Commercialization of Coco‐coir Processing Technologies and Machineries in CALABARZON.
2a. Product development from coir‐cocoshell‐acrylic. (N.J. Melencion, M.M. Melencion, & J.B.
Mainar)
No activities was conducted during the month due to the lack of acrylic resins and other
materials. The Biomass and Biofuels laboratory was prevented from purchasing acrylic resins
and other materials despite the fact that funds were still available at that time (November
2017). Currently, the funds for this project is already depleted.
Culture of bacterial cellulose from mature coconut water wastes were continued.
3. Coconut Sap Concentrator (N.J. Melencion)
The Biomass and Biofuels Laboratory is still waiting for the stainless steel pressure cooker (as
reaction vessel) and other supplies requested for purchase hence the activities for this project is
temporarily halted.
5. Research Extension/Training
Dr. Neil Melencion, Sr. Science Research Specialist, together with two Research Assistants of the
Biomass and Biofuels Laboratory ‐ Mrs. Marybeth Melencion and Mrs. Josephine B. Mainar
attended the High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) Training Course on Sugar Analysis
at Shimadzu Philippines Corporation, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City on April 11‐14, 2018.
Submitted by:
NEIL J. MELENCION, PhD.
Senior Science Research Specialist
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