Characterization of Cocoa Pulp (Theobroma cacao L) from South Halmahera as an Alternative Feedstock for Bioethanol Production

Abstract

Abstract South Halmahera is one of the cocoa-producing centers in North Maluku, but the pulp of cocoa is less noticed and assumed to be not important in commercial purpose and is largely disposed as agroindustry residue. This study aimed to characterize the cocoa pulp from southern Halmahera for bioethanol production. Survey and observation methods were conducted to obtain bioethanol feedstock from cocoa pulp. Cocoa pulps mucilage is a waste that can be processed into bioethanol products with high economic value. The results of this study indicated that theaverage of 100kg of cocoa beans produced 5-8 litters of mucilage juice residues. The results of this study indicated that cocoa pulp from southern Halmahera had the optimum time for the fermentation process for 12 days. The level of alcohol produced by fermentation was 4.85%, and this level was a low category.