Comparative biogas generation from fruit peels of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) and its optimization

This study evaluated the potentials of fluted pumpkin fruit peels for biogas generation using three different pretreatment methods (A, B, C) and the optimization of its process parameters. The physic-chemical characteristics of the substrates revealed it to be rich in nutrients and mineral elements needed by microorganisms. Gas chromatography analysis revealed the gas composition to be within the range of 58.5 +/- 2.5% Methane and 27 +/- 3% Carbon dioxide for all the three digestions. The study revealed that combination of three pretreatment methods enhanced enormous biogas yield from the digested substrates as against the use of two methods and no pretreatment experiment. Optimization of the generated biogas data revealed that RSM predicted higher gas yield than ANN, the latter gives higher accuracy and efficiency than the former. It is advocated that fluted pumpkin fruit peels be used for energy generation especially in the locations of its abundance. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.