American Journal of Applied Chemistry

2022; 10(3): 62-66

http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajac
doi: 10.11648/j.ajac.20221003.11
ISSN: 2330-8753 (Print); ISSN: 2330-8745 (Online)

Production and Characterization of Bio-diesel from Water

Hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) of Lake Koka, Ethiopia
Seferu Tadesse1, *, Hayelom Berhie2, Beliyu Kifle3, Gashaw Tesfaye4
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, National Fishery and Aquatic Life Research Center, Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia

Email address:

To cite this article:

Seferu Tadesse, Hayelom Berhie, Beliyu Kifle, Gashaw Tesfaye. Production and Characterization of Bio-diesel from Water Hyacinth
(Eichhorniacrassipes) of Lake Koka, Ethiopia. American Journal of Applied Chemistry. Vol. 10, No. 3, 2022, pp. 62-66.
doi: 10.11648/j.ajac.20221003.11

Received: April 1, 2022; Accepted: May 18, 2022; Published: May 31, 2022

Abstract: Ethiopia has a large biomass of water hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) in Lake Koka and LakeTana during the
summer season. Local community of Lake Koka doesn’t use this water hyacinth. So the activity is designed to produce
biodiesel from water hyacinth and determine its quality parameters. This should be based on the concept of produce renewable
energy and discard water hyacinth from the lake. The Specific gravity (g/ml), Acid value (mgKOH/g), Water content (mg/g),
kinematic Viscosity (mm2/sec) and ash% (w/v) content of water hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) biodiesel were 0.912, 0.4,
0.004, 2.7 and 0.001 respectively. The Nutrient analysis of water hyacinth from Lake Kokawas takes place in NFLARC
laboratory to evaluate for biodiesel purpose. The proximate composition of water hyacinth from Lake Kokawas moisture
content % (w/w) 76.2 ± 0.1, lipid content % (w/v) 0.49 ± 0.23%, crude protein % (w/w) 10.23 ± 0.34%, ash content % (w/w)
9.5 ± 0.02%, carbohydrate % (w/w) 3.58 ± 0.6%, and gross energy (kcal/100g) 59.65 ± 0.53%. From the study it can be
conclude that the parameters of biodiesel get from water hyacinth is fulfill the requirement set by American and European
biodiesel standards. The problem is that the oil content of water hyacinth is too much low and can’t economically visible to
produce biodieselfrom water hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes).
Keywords: Water Hyacinth, Eichhorniacrassipes, Biodiesel, Nutrient Content

managing this species and understanding and implementing

1. Introduction their marketability as an ornamental or in their alternative
Water hyacinth is invasive species due to their adaptability products or as a newly found biofuel crop [8]. The interest in
to a wide type of fresh water ecosystems and interference with production of biodiesel has started in Ethiopia before hundred
human activities [25]. Thus a huge amount of money and years ago [18]. Ethiopia has expense a million dollars to
efforts have been invested since then for their management import fuels [1]. Before a decades ago Ethiopia have try to
[11]. However, it was recently realized that they could be produce biodiesel from vegetables and jatrophacurucas [20].
sustainably managed in their natural ecosystem and used in The biomass of water hyacinth in Ethiopia lakes especially in
biodiesel production, generating ample avenues of research, LakeTana and LakeKoka are covered the half area of the lake
development and marketing of their end product [12]. As the [2]. Ethiopian major rivers like Awash rivers are also covered
search for alternatives to fossil fuel intensifies in this age of with water hyacinth [22]. Especially in summer reason it
modernization and industrialization, fuelled by increasing spreads fast and covers more than half area of a lake. This is a
energy costs, water hyacinth holds a strong promise in the 21st bottle neck problem for production of fish; to get sustainable
century biodiesel industry [24]. There have been instances of water for irrigation of agricultural production because water
complete blockage of waterways by water hyacinth making hyacinth is highly absorbing water and it becomes dry through
fishing and recreation very difficult [13]. There is a need for a time [7]. So in order to save fishes and other aquatic animals
sustainability and a new perspective when it comes to the activity is designed to use as biodiesel purpose. Water
hyacinth is a promising plant fro biofuel production like
63 Seferu Tadesse et al.: Production and Characterization of Bio-diesel from Water Hyacinth
(Eichhorniacrassipes) of Lake Koka, Ethiopia

bioethanol, biogas and biodiesel [21]. 2. Materials and Methods

Eichhorniacrassipesrepresents a promising organism for fuel
production because of their highavailability and high 2.1. Sample Collection and Preparation
biomassyield [23]. Water hyacinth is low in lignin contentwith Water hyacinth plant with root, stem and leave were
high content of cellulose and hemicelluloses [8]. The collected in October, 2019from Lake Koka, which is located
combined cellulose andhemicellulose content in water in the Ethiopian Rift valley south-east of Ethiopia and
hyacinth reached 58.6%, and the lignin content was very low transported to Sebeta National fishery and aquatic life
compared with other biomasses [17]. The most important and research center for laboratory analysis. Before analysis, the
beneficial use of Eichhorniacrassipesis biofuel production in leaf was separated from stem and roots followed by washing
different countries, mainly in Brazil, India and some African with clean water to remove any mud’s and dusts. The
countries. It isfound that 1 kg of cellulose yields 1.1 kg of specimens were chopped and dried at room temperature in
glucose and 1 kg of cellulose yield 0.56 kg of ethanol [9]. greenhouse.
Other consumptionoptions including Eichhorniasp based
power plantenergy, compost/fertilizer and animal feed 2.2. Laboratory Analysis
production alsomake the engineering feature so important in
many commercial ways [10]. The focus on outlook should Kjledahl apparatus for sample digestion during protein
regard Eichhorniaas power plant energy (as source of biogas, analysis and nitrogen analyzer to isolate nitrogen from other
biodiesel, bioethanol etc). It can help to decrease the use of digested organic matters were used in the laboratory. Water
fossilfuels [16] Because of the following characteristics of activity meter was used to determine of the water content of
Eichhorniasp (Water hyacinth), it can be used as biodiesel biodiesel while acidity of biodiesel was determined using
source; Ideal Attributes, Wide availability, Ease of harvesting titration method.
andcultivation, Frequent harvest cycles, No competition 2.3. Proximate Composition of Water Hyacinth
withfood, Easy to extract, non-expensive, Global invasive
nuisanceweed, Low-tech processing and Millions of The moisture, ash, crude protein and fat content of water
dollarsspent each year to remove / dispose [18]. This study is hyacinth were determined according AOAC (2000) [3-5]
designed to produce biodiesel from water hyacinth standard procedures. The carbohydrate content was derived
(Eichhorniacrassipes) which grows exclusively andextensively from moisture, protein, ash and fat content using the
in all the Ethiopian water bodies and causingserious problem. following formula:
Carbohydrate content =100 − (protein + fat + ash + moisture)

The gross energy value of water hyacinth was determined using the relationship from fat, carbohydrate and protein contents
of the Atwater’s Conversion Factors; (4kcal/g) for protein, (9kcal/g) for fat and (4 kcal/g) for carbohydrates and expressed in
calories.
Gross energy (Kcal/g) =(4 ∗ protein + (4 ∗ carbohydrate + (9 ∗ fat
2.4. Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel was produced from water hyacinth through the process of esterification and Trans- esterification according to the
method [6].
2.5. Physicochemical Properties of Biodiesel

pH of biodiesel was measured using digital pH meter according to the method [19]. The specific gravity of a substance is a
comparison of its density to that of water (1g/cm3). The density and specific gravity of the biodiesel from water hyacinth was
calculated using the formula given below.
!" #$% & '()*#& +) ,$ )$-
Density of water hyacinth biodiesel =
. -/ $ ! " #$% & ()*#& +) ,$ )$-

,$* )#' ! " #$% &' ()*#& +) ,)$ $-

Specific gravity =
,$* )#' ! " #$%

Total pigment, chlorophyl and glycerol were

determined according to the procedures and formula 3. Result and Discussion
indicated by [19]. The water content was determined by
using water activity meter and the viscosity was 3.1. Evaluation of Extraction Solvents
determined by using digital viscosity meter, using spin 1
rotation. The total acidity was determined following the Table 1 summarizes the mean percentage of crude lipid
procedures indicated by [6]. content of water hyacinth leaf with different extraction
solvents.
 American Journal of Applied Chemistry 2022; 10(3): 62-66 64

Table 1. The crude lipid content % (w/w) of water hyacinth with different Koka is summarized in Table 3.
solvents. The mean moisture content % (w/w) lake koka water
Types of solvent used Oil yield (%) hyacinth leaf was 76.2 ± 0.1 which is below reported by [15],
Hexane 0.60±0.01 who was reported that 85.15. These differences may be happen
Petroleum ether 0.50±0.02 due to the season of sample collection and environmental
Ethanol 0.33±0.01
condition. The other reason is that some water content of water
hexane: Ethanol 0.50±0.02
hexane: Petroleum ether 0.63±0.01 hyacinth was losses due to sample transportation from landing
Ethanol: Petroleum ether 0.40±0.02 site of koka toSebeta, NFLARC laboratory. The mean
percentage of crude lipid content of water hyacinth was 0.3-
The results obtained with different extraction solvents 0.6% (w/w). The difference of crude lipid content was arises
were 0.3-0.6%. The difference of crude lipid content was due to the use of different polarity of solvents. However the
arises due to the use of different polarity of solvents. The crude lipid content of water hyacinth reported by different
efficiencies of different polarities of solvents hexane, authors have significant highest than the current study,
petroleum ether, ethanol and the mixture of different solvents whoreported that 6.90% (w/w) by [19].; 1.56% (w/w) by [15].
such as hexane: ethanol, Hexane: petroleum ether and 4.11% (w/w) by [14]. This may be due to with different agro
ethanol: petroleum ether was evaluated. From the result the ecology zone and species of water hyacinth. The mean
highest crude lipid was obtained with mixture of hexane: percentage of total mineral or ash content of water hyacinth
Petroleum ether and the lowest crude lipid were obtained was 9.5% ± 0.01, which is less than recorded by [26], who
using ethanol extraction this due to the polarity of ethanol. reported that 19.9 ± 0.25; 16.79% by [15]; 4.88%by [14]. The
The polarity strength of ethanol is high than polarity strength mean percentage of protein content of water hyacinth% (w/w)
of hexane and petroleum ether. The results obtained by [26] leaf was 10.23 ± 0.3 which is have less value reported byby
are agreed with the current data, they obtained different lipid [15], who reported that 15.27%, but a close agreement value
content with different extraction solvents. reported by [27], who reported that 10.01%. The mean
percentage of carbohydrate content water hyacinth was 3.58%
3.2. Evaluation of Crude Lipid Content
± 0.21. The obtained result was less reported by [14], who
Table 2. Crude lipidcontent % (w/w) of water hyacinth with different reported that 33.61%. The main reason that of a big difference
extraction methods. of carbohydrate content from the current study is [14] was
done from leaf protein concentrate, butthe current study was
Methods of extraction Oil yield (%)
Soxhelet extraction 0.60±0.01 done on crude leaf of water hyacinth. The mean percentage
Maceration extraction 0.2±0.02 gross energy of water hyacinth was 59.65kcal/100g ±0.32. To
my knowledge the gross energy of water hyacinth wasn’t
In table 2 the mean percentage of crude lipid content in reported before this work.
water hyacinth leaf collected from lake koka in autumn Table 4 shows that the summery of quality parameters of
(October), 2012 in different extraction methods was vary. biodiesel of water hyacinth. From the result most of quality
The result obtained by soxhlet extraction was 0.60 ± 0.01 attributes of biodiesel of water hyacinth were within the
where as 0.2 ± 0.02 was obtained by maceration extraction range limits of American and European fuel standard
methods. From the result obtained soxhlet extraction method requirements. In the current study the specific gravity of
has more efficient to extract lipids from water hyacinth. The water hyacinth biodiesel was 0.9129g/ml, According to
main problem of soxhlet extraction isn’t using for large European standard (EN 14214 standard), the average specific
samples it only uses for small size samples because the gravity of biodiesel was reported to be 0.8600-0.900 g/ml.
sample holder calls thimble can’t hold large samples. On the The average value obtained from the current study is higher
other hand maceration extraction methods use for large value compared with the required European standard this
samples but the efficient is low. implies that the energy content of lake koka water hyacinth
have high. The specific gravity of the lake koka water
3.3. Proximate Composition of Water Hyacinth
hyacinth biodiesel in current study was highest than reported
Table 3. Proximate composition of water hyacinth leaf collected in Autumn by [19], who reported that 0. 834 g/ml. The cause of
(October) season from lake koka. difference may be due to variation of agro ecology zone. The
mean acid value lake koka water hyacinth biodiesel was 0.4
Number Parameter analysis Yield
1 Moisture content % (w/w) 76.2±0..1
mg KOH/g. The maximum acid no of biodiesel is 0.8 mg
2 Ash content (w/w) 9.5±0.01 KOH/g (according to ASTM) and 0.5 mgKOH/g (according
3 Protein content % (w/w) 10.23±0.3 to EN) standards. The acid value obtained for Lake Koka
4 Carbohydrate content % (w/w) 3.58±0.21 water hyacinth biodiesel is within the specification limits of
5 Gross energy content (kcal/g) 59.65±0.32 international standards and is recommended to be used for
6 Crude lipid content % (w/w) 0.3-0.6±0.02
7 pH 5.4
biodiesel purpose. The average Kinematic viscosity
(mm2/sec) of Lake Koka water hyacinth biodiesel was 3.12.
The mean percentage of moisture, crude protein, ash, According to the European standard (EN 14214 standard) the
carbohydrate, and gross energy of water hyacinth of Lake viscosity of the biodiesel should lie between 1.9-6.0mm2/sec.
65 Seferu Tadesse et al.: Production and Characterization of Bio-diesel from Water Hyacinth
(Eichhorniacrassipes) of Lake Koka, Ethiopia

The current Kinematic viscosity (mm2/sec) value of water (Sanaaet al., 2017), who reported that 0.36. Chlorophyll a
hyacinth biodiesel was in the range of European standard (mg/g) and Chlorophyll b (mg/g) of water hyacinth of Lake
(EN 14214 standard), but lowest value was obtained than Koka was 0.23 and 0.13 respectively. The current value of
reported by [19], who reported 9.85 mm2/s. The mean ash Chlorophyll a (mg/g) was closely agree than reported by
content of water hyacinth biodiesel collected from Lake [19], who reported by 0.22, but lower value was obtained in
Koka was 0.0012 g/100g. The maximum values of ash Chlorophyll b (mg/g) than reported by [19] who reported
content in biodiesel was limited to 0.01 g/100g (according to 0.15. The mean percentage of T. Carotenoids (mg/g) for lake
the American standard D874) and 0.02 (according to EN koka water hyacinth biodiesel was obtained 1.34 which is
14214 standard). From the result, it can be concluded that the higher than reported by [19], who reported that 1.23. The
ash content values of water hyacinth biodiesel in the current cause of difference may be due to environmental condition of
study is closely agree to the values of European standard (EN the lake koka and river found in Egypt. The mean result for
14214) and American standard D874. The average water total pigment content (mg/g) obtained was 2.06 which is also
content (mg/g) of water hyacinth biodiesel was 0.04. The higher reported by [19], who report that 1.60. The cause of
tolerable amount of water content of a biodiesel is up to 0.3 pigment difference may be due to environmental condition.
mg/g (According to American Standard) and 0.5 mg/g From this result it can be conclude that the water hyacinth
(according to EN 14214 standard). From the result it can be collected from Lake Koka have better for coloring purpose
conclude that the water content of Lake water hyacinth than the water hyacinth of Egypt river. The glycerolmmol/L
biodiesel is within the range of American and European and sediment% (w/v) content were 0.39 and 2.45
biodiesel standards. The mean percentage of Total respectively. [19] reported that the glycerolmmol/L content
Chlorophyll (mg/g) of water hyacinth leaf in production of of Egypt water hyacinth content was 0.41 which is higher
biodiesel was 0.36. The results are agreed with reported by than our result.

Table 4. Biodiesel characteristics of water hyacinth.

Number Parameters Current Value BiodieselD-6751 Biodiesel (EN14214) Reports from other authors
1 Specific gravity (g/ml) at 20°C 0.912 - 0.860–0.90 0. 834 by [19]
2 Acid valuemg KOH/g 0.4 Max 0.8 Max 0.5 -
3 Water content (mg/g) 0.04 Max 0.3 Max 0.5 -
4 Kinematic viscositymm2/sec 2.7 3.5 -5 1.9-6 9.85 [19]
5 Ash% (w/v) 0.001 Max. 0.01 Max 0.02 --
6 pH 5.6 - - 4.0 by [19]
7 Chlorophyll a (mg/g) 0.23 - - 0.22 [19]
8 Chlorophyll b (mg/g) 0.13 - - 0.15 [19]
9 T. Chlorophyll (mg/g) 0.36 - - 0.36 [19]
10 T. Carotenoids (mg/g) 1.34 - - 1.23 [19]
11 Total pigment content (mg/g) 2.06 - - 1.60 [19]
12 glycerolmmol/L 0.39 - - 0.41 [19]
13 Sediments% (w/v) 2.45 - - -

Research Center, fishery research process for financial

4. Conclusion support. We wish to acknowledge the help provided by the
technical staff in the fishery process of the NFALRC during
From this study it can be conclude that the quality review Programme.
attributes of biodiesel of water hyacinth is fulfill the
standards set by American and European standards. Different
studies show that oil content of water hyacinth References
(Eichhorniacrassipes) is affected by harvesting age, agro
ecology and season. The main challenge or drawback to [1] Afify, A. M. M. R., Shalaby E. A. and Shanab S. M. M.
(2010). Enhancement of biodiesel production from different
produce biodiesel from water hyacinth is that very low values species of algae. Grasas Y Aceites, 61 (4), 416–422.
of lipid content which have a value of 0.3—0.6% (w/w) on
dry based. So in the study it can be conclude that it isn’t [2] Al Ramalli SW, Harrington CF, Ayub M, Haris PI. (2005) A
economically important to use water hyacinth as a biodiesel. biomaterial based approach for arsenic removal from water J
Environ monitoring 7: 279-282.
Finally I recommended that further study on use of water
hyacinth for coloring of substances like food industry will be [3] Associations of Analytical Chemistry (AOAC, (2000).
done. Approved method for Protein in grains. Method 979.09.
Official Method of Analysis of AOAC International, 30-34.

Acknowledgements [4] Associations of Analytical Chemistry (AOAC, 2000).

Approved method for moistur in flour method 925.09 of oven
We strongly acknowledge Sebeta Fishery and Aquatic Life drying method. Official Method of Analysis of AOAC
International, 2: 1.
 American Journal of Applied Chemistry 2022; 10(3): 62-66 66

[5] Associations of Analytical Chemistry (AOAC, 2000). of water hyacinth with main focus on sustainable energy and
Approved method for Ash in flour method 923.03. Official production for new era: an overview. Renew. Sustain. Energy
Method of Analysis of AOAC International, 2: 1. Rev. 41, 943–954.

[6] Beemnet Mengesha Kassahun, Manaye Balch, Zewdinesh [17] Ruan, T, Zeng, R, Yin, X. Y, Zhang, S. X, Yang, Z. H. (2016).
Damtew, DanielIsrat, Gelila Asaminew, Seferu Tadese, Water Hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) Biomass as a Biofuel
Muluken Philipos, Negasu Guteta, Hassen Nurhusain, Feedstock by Enzymatic Hydrolysis. Bioresources, 11, 2372–
Fikremariam Haile, Solomon Abate, Betelihem Mekonnen 2380.
(2016). Fatty acid and biodiesel characteristics Ethiopian
Jatropha (JatrophacurcasL.) provenances. International [18] Sagar, C. V., Kumari, N. A. (2013). Sustainable biofuel
journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research. 4 production from water hyacinth (Eicchorniacrassipes). Int. J.
(1): 15-31. Eng. Trends Techn. 4 (10), 4454–4458.

[7] Bolenz S, Omran H, Gierschner K. (1990) Treatment of water [19] Sanaa M. M. Shanab, Eman A. Hanafy and Emad A. Shalaby
hyacinth tissue to obtain useful products. Bio wastes 33: 263- (2017). Water Hyacinth as Non-edible Source for Biofuel
274. Production. Journal of Waste Biomass Valor 2018 (9): 255–264.

[8] Das, A, Ghosh, P, Paul, T, Ghosh, U, Pati, B. R, Mondal, K. C. [20] Shalaby, E. A., El-Gendy, N. (2012). Two steps alkaline
(2016). Production of bioethanol as useful biofuel through the transesterification of waste cooking oils and quality
bioconversion of water hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes). 3 assessment of produced biodiesel. Int. J. Chemical
Biotech. 6 (1). Biochemical Sci. 1, 30–35.

[9] Gunnarsson CC, Petersen CM. (2007). Water hyacinths as a [21] Shanab, S. M. M., Hanafy, E. A. and Shalaby, E. A. (2014).
resource in agriculture and energy production: A literature Biodiesel production and antioxidant activity of different
review. Waste Man 27: 117-129. Egyptian Date Palm seed cultivars. Asian J. Biochem., 9 (3),
119–130.
[10] Lata N &Dubey V. (2010). Preliminary phytochemical
screening of Eichhorniacrassipes: the world’s worst aquatic [22] Shanab, S. M. M., Shalaby, E. A., Lightfoot, D. A. and El-
weed. J Pharmacy Res 3: 1240-1242. Shemy, H. A. (2010). Allelopathic effects of water hyacinth
(Eichhorniacrassipes). Plos ONE 5 (10).
[11] Lu JB, Fu ZH, Yin ZZ. (2008). Performance of a water
hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) system in the treatment of [23] Srinophakun, P., Thanapimmetha, A., Rattanaphanyapan, K.,
wastewater from a duck farm and the effects of using water Sahaya, T., Saisriyoot, M. (2017). Feedstock production for
hyacinth as duck feed. J Environ Sci - China 20: 513-519. third generation biofuels through cultivation of Arthrobacter
AK19 under stress conditions. J. Cleaner Prod., 142,
[12] Masami GO, Usui I, Urano N. (2008). Ethanol production 1259e1266.
from the water hyacinth Eichhorniacrassipes by yeast isolated
from various hydrosphere’s. African J Microbio Res 2: 110- [24] Uday, U. S. P., Choudhury, P., Bandyopadhyay, T. K., Bhunia,
113. B. (2016) Classification, mode of action and production
strategy of xylanase and its application for biofuel production
[13] Mishima, D., Kuniki, M., Sei, K., Soda, S., Ike, M. and Fujita, from water hyacinth. Int J BiolMacromol. 82, 1041–1054.
M., (2008). Ethanol production from candidate energy crops:
water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia [25] Verma VK, Singh YP &Rai JPN. (2007). Biogas production
stratiotes L.). Bioresource technology, 99 (7), pp. 2495-2500. from plant biomass used for phytoremediation of industrial
wastes. BioresourTechnol 98: 1664-1669.
[14] Oyeyemi Adeyemi, Chris C. Osubor (2016). Assessment of
nutritional quality of water hyacinth leaf protein concentrates. [26] Lara-Serrano, J. S., Rutiaga-Quiñones, O. M., López-Miranda,
The Egyptian journal of aquatic research. 42 (3): 269-272. J., Fileto-Pérez, H. A., Pedraza-Bucio, F. E., Rico-Cerda, J. L.
and Rutiaga-Quiñones, J. G., 2016. Physicochemical
[15] P. C. Okoye, F. Daddy And B. D. Jlesanmj (2006) The characterization of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes
Nutritive Value Of Water Hyacinth WichhorniaCrassipes) And (Mart.) Solms). BioResources, 11 (3), pp. 7214-7223.
Its Utilization In Fish Feed. Journal of National Institute for
Freshwater Fisheries Research. 65 -70. [27] Weiping Su, Qingping Sun, Meisheng Xia, Zhengshun Wen
and Zhitong Yao (2108). The Resource Utilization of Water
[16] Rezania, S., Ponraj, M., FadhilMd Din, M., Songip, A. R., Hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes [Mart.] Solms) and Its
MdSairan, F., Chelliapan, S. (2015). The diverse applications Challenges. Journal of MDPI Resources. 7 (946): 1-9.