Biofuel Production Potential of Anacardium occidentale (Cashew)

Mature and ripe cashew fruits were harvested, washed and the apples separated from the nuts. The apples were crushed and the juice extracted and treated with potassium metabisulphite to check the activities of undesirable microorganisms. A 3-spatula full of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus, was rehydrated and inoculated into the treated juice and allowed for 5 days in a room temperature of 32.50C to ferment. After fermentation, initial ethanol content of 7.5% was obtained. This ethanol could not be used as biofuel due to its impurities and high percentage of water. A distillation and re-distillation were performed to obtain a purer form of ethanol of 95%. The 95% ethanol was tested in a small 950-watts-capacity gasoline engine generating set and the engine ignited and ran successfully. The study could establish the use of cashew apple in the production of biofuel, a move that will diversify the oil sector and preserve our ecosystem.