Bioethanol based on Aquatic Biomass (Ipomoea Aquatica) as a Renewable Energy Solution to Achieve the 2030 SDGs

Abstract

Indonesia has a constantly increasing energy demand. One energy source similar to fossil fuels is biomass. Biomass is organic material derived from living organisms. Indonesia has a constantly increasing energy demand. One energy source similar to fossil fuels is biomass. Biomass is organic material derived from living organisms. Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) contains cellulose fibers, which can be broken down into glucose through fermentation with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), then converted into bioethanol. This study used an experimental method involving a fermentation process carried out over 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10 days. The bioethanol content produced from the distillation process was analyzed using a pycnometer and Gas Chromatography (GC). The highest bioethanol content was obtained in a 5-day fermentation process and a yeast mass of 7 grams, namely 28%. This result is not much different from the GC analysis result of 28.52%. Statistical analysis using ANOVA yielded a p-value of 0.021 (< 0.05), indicating that fermentation time and yeast dosage significantly influenced bioethanol content. The results of this study show that water spinach has the potential to be used for bioethanol production. This supports the goals of the 2030 SDGs, especially points 7, 8, 12, 13, and 15.