PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE (HERMETIA ILLUCENS) THROUGH IN SITU INTERESTERIFICATION REACTION IN A CONTINUOUS STIRRED TANK REACTOR SYSTEM WITH BIOCATALYST FROM RHIZOPUS ORYZAE

• Main Author: Billy Lai, Nikodemus
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/82971
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Biodiesel derived from black soldier fly larvae presents a significant solution to global energy security challenges, bypassing competition with the food sector. However, the conventional transesterification process, utilizing acid and methanol catalysts for biodiesel production, poses several issues, including wastewater generation, equipment corrosion, and product separation difficulties. To address these challenges, the in-situ interesterification reaction employing whole-cell biocatalyst from Rhizopus oryzae and methyl acetate offers a promising alternative. This study focuses on the synthesis of whole-cell biocatalyst from Rhizopus oryzae for biodiesel production and investigates the impact of reaction time on biodiesel yield from black soldier fly larvae biomass via in-situ interesterification. Parameters such as heating value, density, kinematic viscosity, water content, and biodiesel composition were evaluated to characterize the biodiesel produced. The synthesized whole-cell biocatalyst from Rhizopus oryzae exhibited an enzymatic activity of 4014.95 U/g. Optimal biodiesel yield, reaching 94.19% (g/g), was achieved at the 20th hour of reaction time. The resulting biodiesel complies with EN 14214 standards, with heating value, density, viscosity, and water content meeting requirements at 40.55 MJ/kg, 884.17 kg/m3, 3.55 mm2/s, and 0.03% v/v, respectively.