CHAPTER I

A. Background of the Study Aratilis ( Muntingia calabura), also known as Jamaican Cherry is a widely cultivated fruit-bearing tree which is abundant in tropical countries such as the Philippines. It strives in soil despite of acidity rates that most plants cant survive on and normally grows in roadsides. It bears small, circular green fruits which turn bright red when ripe. Aratilis fruit has a sweet taste with a sugar content of 87.7 mg/g which is the main focus of our study. (www.cabdirect.org) Bioethanol is a high octane, water-free alcohol produced from the fermentation of sugar or converted starch. Locally, bioethanol is produced from sweet sorghum and sugarcane. These sources undergo different sugar processing technologies involving stalk storage, diffusion systems, yeast single cell protein recovery, improved distillation systems and co-processing of cellusoic bagasse. (www. .com) Aratilis will be processed to produce sugar extract which will undergo the said sugar processing technologies to produce bioethanol. This research study aims to produce bioethanol from the fermentation of sugar extract of Aratilis ( Muntingia calabura).

B. Statement of the Problem

General Problem What is the difference between Bioethanol produced from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol?

Specific Problems a) What is the difference between the concentration per liter of bioethanol from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol? b) What is the difference between the pH value of bioethanol from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol?

c) What is the difference between the cost of production of bioethanol from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol? C. Significance of the Study

Bioethanol is a highly demanded product globally, with Philippines one of the pioneers of its production in Asia. Yet, with only three bioethanol producers in the country San Carlos Bioenergy Inc., Leyte Agri Corp., and Roxol Bioenergy Corp.the nation is having problems in coping with the demand. As of 2012, the demand for bioethanol is expected to reach 500 million liters, of which only 100 million liters is expected to be produced locally, thus requiring the importation of around 4 million liters more. (Go, Marianne V. (2012, January 13). Bioethanol production cant cope with demand. The Philippine Star) Another problem in sugarcane bioethanol production is that it involves the use of mono-crop sugarcane plantations and nurseries. Mono-crop sugarcane plantations are water-intensive, rapidly degrade soil nutrients and are grown with heavy chemical inputs. (www.asianpeasant.org) Sugarcane, known as the lazy mans crop, can be grown on many soils. Yet, particulate matter, combustion products, and volatile organic compounds are emitted during sugarcane processing. Also, the cost of sugarcane bioethanol production exceeds the social benefits, hence use of sugarcane bioethanol cannot be justified on economic grounds. (papers.ssrn.com) Moreover, sugarcane is not always available for bioethanol production and is used more in sugar production to cope with the demands. In view of these, this research study intends to produce bioethanol with low cost production (with less emitted pollutants) , more concentration and less pH value from the sugar extract of Aratilis ( Muntingia calabura ).

D. Research Objectives

The objective of the study is to be able to know the difference between biothenol produced from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol. The following statements are specific objectives derived or related to the objectives above:

1. To be able to know the the difference between the concentration per liter of bioethanol produced from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol. 2. To be able to know the difference between the pH level of bioethanol produced from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol. 3. To be able to know the difference between the cost of production of bioethanol produced from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol.

E. Hypothesis Null: a) There is no difference between the concentration per liter of bioethanol from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol. b) There is no difference between the pH level of bioethanol from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol. c) There is no difference between the cost of production of bioethanol from Aratilis and sugarcane bioethanol.

F. Research Framework

Bioethanol From Aratilis

(Mutingia calabura)

Bioethanol From Sugarcane

a. Bioethanol concentration per liter b. Bioethanol pH level c. Bioethanol cost of production

G. Scope and Limitation This study limits only to the Aratilis trees that will be used as a source of Bioethanol The researcher will take Aratilis fruit samples in Barangay Taculing. Owing to the aforementioned constraints, findings are applicable only to the cases studied.

H. Definition of Terms 1. Aratilis ( Muntingia calabura ) - The Jamaica cherry, Muntingia calabura L., is a member of the family Elaeocarpaceae. This is a very fast-growing tree of slender proportions, reaching 25 to 40 ft (7.5-12 m) in height, with spreading, nearly horizontal branches. The leaves are evergreen. The abundant fruits are round, 3/8 to 1/2 in (1-1.25 cm) wide, with red or sometimes yellow, smooth, thin, tender skin and light-brown, soft, juicy pulp, with very sweet, musky, somewhat fig-like flavor, filled with exceedingly minute, yellowish seeds, too fine to be noticed in eating. (www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop) 2. Bioethanol - a high-octane , water-free alcohol produced from the fermentation of sugar or converted starch. Much preferred as it extends engine life, increases power, releases little carbon monoxide (CO2) and is a renewable source. (www.makebiofuel.co.uk/) 3. Fermentation - chemical changes in organic substances produced by the action of enzymes. This general definition includes virtually all chemical reactions of physiological importance, and scientists today often restrict the term to the action of specific enzymes, called ferments, produced by minute organisms such as molds, bacteria, and yeasts. (Microsoft Encarta ) 4. Sugarcane - common name for certain species of perennial herbs of a genus of the grass family. The common sugarcane is extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries throughout the world for the sugar contained within its many-jointed stems. Sugarcane grows to a height of 3 to 6 m (about 8 to 20 ft) and has stems 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) thick. The small spikelets are borne in panicles and are surrounded by long, silky fibers. Several horticultural varieties are known, differing in stem color and height. (Microsoft Encarta)

5. Sugar Processing Technology - a series of processes used to convert raw materials such as sugarcane and sweet sorghum into bioethanol. 6. pH level -a measure of the solutions acidity (Microsoft Encarta)