Alcohol from bananas

Laboratory studies were conducted to assess the ethanol production potential from waste bananas. Over a 10-day ripening period, there was a 9% loss of fresh weight by day 6 and a 15% loss by day 10. Ethanol yields from normal ripe bananas were: whole fruit—0.091, pulp—0.082, and peel—0.006 l/kg of whole fruit. Ripeness effects on ethanol yield were measured as green—0.090, normal ripe—0.082, and overripe—0.069 l/kg of green whole bananas. Enzymatic hydrolysis was necessary for maximum yields. Dilution water was not essential for effective fermentation. Waste parameters of the banana stillage were measured.