Obtaining Biogas from the fermentation of Physalis Peruviana L. processing waste (Aguaymanto)

Abstract

The industrialization of native and organic agricultural species in Peru has recently increased and diversified rapidly, allowing little-known species of high nutritional value, such as Physalis peruvian L., to become accessible in national and international markets. Consequently, the proper management and utilization of its agro-industrial waste, which is also increasing, is of interest to preserve environmental quality and achieve a circular economy.
This laboratory-level experimental research sought to determine the capacity of solid waste from the industrialization of cape gooseberry to generate biogas, obtain fermentation, and measure the biogas produced, comparing pretreated and pre-inoculated samples with samples without prior treatment. Initial physicochemical analyses were able to identify structural changes in the biomass and its fermentation potential with acetic acid pretreatment at different concentrations compared to sulfuric acid. Statistical analyses evaluated the significance of pretreatment, pre-inoculation, and fermentation. The results concluded that they have the potential to produce biogas, that a 0.2 M acetic acid concentration offers greater advantages over other concentrations and a mineral acid, and that fermentations with a pre-inoculum generate biogas in similar quantities and quality.