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Background/ Introduction
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Background/ Introduction Arundo donax, more commonly known as, “Giant reed”, is a highly invasive species that needs to be eradicated from our riparian ecosystem. It is a thin, reed-like perennial grass that is similar in appearance to bamboo. Arundo donax was brought to Los Angeles in the 1820’s as a solution to erosion in drainage canals and as a cheap roof thatching material. (Bell 1997.)Arundo donax has become one of the top five invasive species in California since its introduction and is continuing to displace native species to this day.(Dudley 2000.) In ideal conditions, this plant can grow up to four inches a day, making it an ideal candidate for commercial bio-fuel production. With our growing energy crisis it is critical that we expand our production of bio-fuels. Most current bio-fuels, such as corn, have other uses where asArundo donax has very little use. By making this plant into a bio-fuel were would be solving two problems: the alternative energy crisis and getting rid of an invasive species. Conclusion Though we have yet to prove Arundo donax can be made into a bio-fuel in a cheap and efficient way, we have found a way to test sugar levels in our extract. We found that sometimes there is a simple solution complicated problems. Originally we tried to test sugar levels through the benedicts test and then using a spectrophotometer. While this seemed to work at first the follow up test proved this method was inaccurate and glucose percentages had little correlation with the data produced. After going back and researching we found that using diastix strips were the most efficient and simple way to test for glucose content. Since we now have a way to test for sugar, or next step is finding a way to break down cellulose into glucose. Problem Turned Bio-Fuel Using invasive Arundodonax as a source of bio-fuels By Justin Lee and Paige Landis Abstract Highly invasive plants such as Arundo donax pose a great threat to us and our environment. Although a dangerous and extremely hard to eradicate, Arundo may help solve other problems that too threaten us and our environment by its possible use as a bio-fuel. Because of its fast growth rate, and ability to grow in saltwater, along with high cellulose content, makes Arundo donax a great candidate for mass bio-fuel production. By using the proper enzymes we can take the cellulose from a sample of Arundo, and convert it into glucose. The relative amount of glucose produced can show Arundo donax’s potential use as a bio-fuel. Hypothesis Arundo has the potential to be used as an Invasive bio-fuel source because of it’s fast growing nature, ability to grow in salt water, and it is comprised of a cellulose filled biomass. Recommendations We tried using the enzyme alpha-galactosidase (found in beano) to break down our solution but the test failed. We are currently looking at utilizing different enzymes, such as cellulase, to break down the cellulose in our biomass and extract and make it into glucose. Results The results from our glucose tests of both the solid and liquid extracts of Arundo and Delairea odorata showed the Arundo has more glucose. The Solid extracts of both Arundo and Delairea showed no glucose levels. The liquid Delairea sample didn’t appear to show any glucose levels, but it was hard to tell because it left a green residue on the test strip. The only sample that showed any signs of glucose was the liquid Arundo which was not very accurate. The test strip’s color changed to about halfway between the white (showing no glucose) and pink (showing 5mg/dl of glucose.) Methods Glucose Test: 1. We gathered the invasive species samples. (Arundofrom 32.766184,-117.16507, and Cape Ivy from 32.771727,-117.109038.) 2. We took our different invasive species (Arundo and Cape Ivy) and blended them up as the first step to creating extracts of each plant. 3. Then we took the blended up plants and separated the liquids from the solids using cheese cloth. 4. 4 grams of the solid bio-mass of each plant was then put into 100ml of ddH₂Oto allow the glucose to defuse out of the solid bio-mass. 5. Using Diastex Glucose test strips which change colors though a enzymatic reaction to glucose we measured the amount of Glucose in each of the plant's solid and liquid bio-masses. Benedicts Test: Conduct a Benedict's test. 2. Centrifuge each solution twice to get rid excess biomass. 3. Use a Spectrophotometer to measure the amount of bi-products from the test. 4.Enter raw data into an excel graph. Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Dr. Jay Vavra from High Tech High for his guidance during this project. References Bell, Gary. “Ecology and Management of Arundo Donax, And Approaches To Riparian HabitatRestoration In Southern California.” 5 December 2012.<http://ceres.ca.gov/tadn/ecology_impacts/arundo_ecology.html> “Dudley, Thomas. “Arundo Donax”. California Invasive Plant Council. 5 December 2012. ftp://ftp.dpla.water.ca.gov/users/prop50/09604_Ventura/Att8_CD1/C10%20Arundo/10_4Arundo%20donax%20in%20Invasive%20Plants%20of%20Californias%20Wildlands.pdf Benedicts solution before (Blue) and after (Yellow) the reaction Samples ready to be tested in the spectrophotometer. Some supplies used such as Beano, and the Arundoextracts Figure 1: Scanning absorption spectrum, (200nm-1000nm) U.V. and visible. Figure 2:Scanning absorption spectrum, (280nm- 390nm) U.V. and visible.
