Microbial Fermentation of Water Melon (Citurullus lanatus) Seeds for Bioethanol Production

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a vine-like flowering originally from Southern Africa. The microbial fermentation of watermelon seeds for me production of bioethanol was investigated. The seeds were washed dried and grounded into powder. The seed powder was then fermented for bioethanol production and the microorganisms responsible for the fermentation were isolated and characterized. Bioethanol was distilled from the fermentation. The distilled bioethanol was subjected to comparative analysis with 'the conventional ethanol. Proximate analysis of the grinded seed was carried out before and after fermentation. The organisms responsible for fermentation were identified as Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus lactis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus sp, Micrococcus spp, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Fusarium oxysporium, Mucor mucedo, Penicillium notatum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger. There was an increase in the protein content of the seed from 4.269% in the unfermented to 10.031% in the fermented. While carbohydrate reduced from 70.523% in the unfermented to 50.149% in the fermented seed. Fat content increased as well as crude fibre content. The distilled bioethanol boils at 78.4% and as a melting point of -112°C at 15°C. The refractive index was 1.360 and the flash point was 12°C. It burns with blue flame. Considering the comparison between the bioethanol produced from Citrullus lanatus seeds with the conventional ethanol, it can be used as an alternative source of biofuel.