Electrochemical Potentials of Averrhoa bilimbi

Misael Angelo V. Zausa, Shaira Paula A. Laserna and Lyka Dawn B. Macolbacol

Regional Science High School for Region VI

Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan
SY: 2016-2017

Due to the growing population, the country is struggling to supply the increasing demand
for electricity and it was discovered that generating electricity has adverse effects on the
environment. This study was conducted to help the electrical sector of the Philippines to
supply the rising electrical needs. Studies have been conducted to produce electricity from
citrus fruits. Averrhoa bilimbi has high acidic properties which makes it a strong
candidate for producing electricity. The fruit juice of Averrhoa bilimbi was placed in a
beaker where each beaker contained 500 mL of the said juice. There were 5 treatments
and each treatment contained 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 beakers, respectively. Each treatment was
arranged in a series circuit - one beaker connected to the other beaker by attaching the
two electrodes, copper wire and soldering lead. It was tested through a multimeter in
terms of voltage in a direct current. The experimental design used was Single-Group
Design. The data gathered were processed through the One-way Analysis of Variance
(5% level of significance), then a mean separation test was administered through the
Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The calculated F was greater than the tabular value of F
in 5% level of significance, which means than there is a significant difference in the
obtained data. It was also calculated that each treatment was significant from each other.
Therefore, Averrhoa bilimbi can be an alternative source of electricity and that 2500 mL
of Averrhoa blilmbi juice can light up an LED bulb.

Keywords: electricity, energy, Averrhoa bilimbi, kamias

INTRODUCTION efficient and portable energy source from

Electricity is a main source of energy for
households in the Philippines, especially
with the advancement of technology, but
due to the growing population, the country
struggles to supply the increasing demand
for electricity (Higher Education
ContibutionS, 2011; Energy Administration
Information, 2015).
renewable fuels powered by organic
compounds (Pathrikar & Siddiqui, 2013).
The kamias, Averrhoa bilimbi, is a native of
the Philippines and is found to have
significant uses such as in medicine and
households (Santiago, 2014; Valencia &
Bismark, 2015). It was found to have an
acidic property, making it potential as an
electrolyte (Sheldon, 2015).

But generating electricity has been found to
have adverse effects on the environment
such as air pollution, land destruction,
radioactive waste and the effect on wildlife
(Pace University, 2000). One solution to this
problem is the use of bio-batteries. These are
Treatments of 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, and
2500 mL Averrhoa bilimbi extract with three
replicates were measured with a multimeter
to obtain their electrical performances.

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The study investigated the electrolytic
potentials of Averrhoa bilimbi by measuring
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Gathering of materials
The materials used in this study were 7000 g
of Averrhoa bilimbi, 120 cm of soldering
lead, 120 cm of copper wire, blender,
strainer, 6 beakers, 2 alligator clips, 100 cm
of electric wire, LED bulb, and digital
multimeter.
Collection of Averrhoa bilimbi
The fruit of Averrhoa bilimbi were used in
this study. Fruits of Averrhoa bilimbi were
collected from Laguinbanua East,
Numancia, Aklan and were brought to the
DENR-Aklan for authentication.
Preparation of A. bilimbi juice
The fruits of Averrhoa bilimbi were washed
with tap water 2-3 times before it was
chopped to smaller pieces. Then, the
chopped pieces were blended using a
blender until it became smooth (Curinga,
2014). After blending, the juice was
separated from its pulp using a strainer.
Then, 500 mL Averrhoa bilimbi juice was
poured each in five beakers.
Preparation of circuit set-up
The copper wire and soldering lead used
were 16 cm long. The two electrodes were
submerged in the beaker of Averrhoa bilimbi
juice. Each of the electrodes was folded 3
cm at the tip forming an L-shape. Then, an
alligator clip was attached to both (Murphy,
2014). For the series circuit set-up, the
the voltage for each treatment.
copper wire was connected to the soldering
lead from the other and then the process was
continued until the required amount of
Averrhoa bilimbi juice — 500, 1000, 1500,
2000, and 2500 mL (Kuphaldt, 2010).
Testing of the A. bilimbi juice
The copper wire and soldering lead found at
the tip of the series circuit were connected to
the LED bulb (Kuphaldt, 2010). The amount
of Averrhoa bilimbi juice when the bulb has
lit up was recorded.
Data gathering
The red test probe of the multimeter
was connected to the copper wire while the
black test probe was connected to the
soldering lead (Kuphaldt, 2010). Then, the
voltage was measured for different numbers
of containers.
Data collecting tool
The data collecting tool used were direct
observation and recordings from the
multimeter.
Data analysis
The experimental design that was used in
this study is Single-Group Design. One-way
ANOVA was used in the analysis to
determine the level of significance of the
various voltage measurements observed. If
P-value is greater than the tabular value at
5% degree of significance, then reject the
null hypothesis.
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RESULTS
The results of this study showed the voltage
measurements (V) of Averrhoa bilimbijuice
in different treatments with three replicates.
Each container has 500 mL of Averrhoa
bilimbi juice
There is a direct relationship between the
number of containers and the voltage. It was
showed that if the number of container
increases, the voltage also increases. The
results also showed that the LED bulb lit up
at five containers.

Table 1 shows the voltage of each treatment Table 2 shows the statistical analysis of the
in three replications. A maximum value of data gathered. It was observed that the
2.58 V was obtained from the five 500 mL calculated value of F is greater than the
Averrhoa bilimbi extract. Nearly the same tabular value of F in a 5% degree of
values were obtained for each replicates of significance.
the treatments.

Table 1. Electrical Performances of Averrhoa bilimbi extract with different treatments.

VOLTAGE (V)
TREATMENT
(No. of containers)
Replication 1 Replication 2 Replication 3

1 0.51 0.51 0.6

2 1.02 1.02 1.02

3 1.5 1.5 1.8

4 2.0 2.0 2.0

5 2.57 2.57 2.58

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Table 2. One-way ANOVA Summary Table of Averrhoa bilimbi juice in three trials

Source of Degree of Sum of Mean Calculated F Tabular F

Variance Freedom Squares Squares (5%)

Between 4 7.66 1.92 320 3.48

Groups

Within 10 0.06 0.006

Groups

Total 14 7.72

It was concluded that Averrhoa bilimbi can

DISCUSSION
The results showed that the calculated value
of F is greater than the tabular value in 5%
degree of significance (Table 2). This means
that the treatments aresignificant, thus reject
the null hypothesis. The results also showed
that there is a direct relationship between the
independent and dependent variable.
The results were in agreement to the study
of De Lima, Mélo E, and Santos Lima
(2001), which states that Averrhoa bilimbi
has high levels of oxalic acid and vitamin C.
Averrhoa bilimbi has been used as a
substitute for vinegar and lemon, which are
all electrolytes. Because of its acidic
property, Averrhoa bilimbi had produced
electricity.
CONCLUSION
be a potential source of electricity. It was
also proven that 2500 mL of Averrhoa
bilimbi juice extract can light up an LED
bulb.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings, Averrhoabilimbi can
be an alternative source of electricity. It is
further recommended that the power,
current, and longevity be measured.
It is also recommended to test Averrhoa
bilimibi on bulbs with higher voltage or
other electrical appliances.
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