Preliminary Studies on Biofuel Potentials of Shea Nut Cakes in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Shea nut cake is produced in large quantity as a by-product by the local communities across Niger state. Three samples were obtained and analysis for proximate, ultimate and mineral analysis using the standard methods. The Proximate analysis results indicated that the shea nut cake had average 8.36% crude proteins, 44.96% carbohydrates, 11.60% crude fat. ash content, 6.27% moisture and 2.17% crude fibre. The average ultimate analysis result obtained in the three samples were volatile matter (79.36%), fixed carbon (22.20), carbon content (75.07%),, nitrogen 8.43%), oxygen (36.76%), Sulphur (0.70%). The average mineral analysis obtained were sodium (247.50 mg/g) potassium (201.50 mg/g), magnesium (381.0 mg/g), calcium (49.05 mg/g), phosphorus (201.5 mg/g) and iron (36.34mg/g) respectively. This study highlights the potential of the shea nut cake, the cakes biomass feedstock can be thermally
be converted to potential energy product such as the animal feed, fertilizer and energy generation biochar, bio-oil and gaseous which are sources of biochemical especially phenol and their derivative