Cordillera - Six students from Saint Louis University (SLU) in the city of Baguio have discovered a cleaner and eco-friendly alternative to petroleum that can fuel cars - this is from taro or locally known as 'gabi'.
The students are Joji Takeoka, John Cyril Paco, Gregory Jones Ochoada, John Paul Galong, and Keanu Verzosa, all students of the said university.
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| Photo Courtesy || John Cyril Paco |
Last October, their invention dubbed as "BIO-GAB" (taken from the word Biofuel and Gabi) won the Business and Idea Development Award (BIDA) given by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce.
Taro (scientific name: Colocasia esculenta) also known as 'gabi' in the Philippines is rich in substances needed in the creation of bioethanol. This plant can grow in almost any type of soil, and highly resistant to floods and drought.
The oil from the taro took the students two weeks to ferment then extract it to process until it become efficient to fuel cars. They tested their invention in a spare engine similar to that of jeepneys and found that it is as effective as other petroleum products commonly used in cars.
According to Ochoada, one of the researchers, taro is rich in carbohydrates and glucose which is the main source bio-ethanol needed to run a car.
"Wild taro is abundant yet inedible crop which is rich in carbohydrates and glucose which are needed to make bio-ethanol. Bio-ethanol is a type of clean fuel that can be used in cars. We tested it in a spare engine similar to that of jeepneys to prevent risk. Fortunately, it worked. The testing center also agreed that it is feasible for engines," Ochoada told Rappler.
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Paco, another member of the group, is hoping that their invention will create a better and safer world to live in and provide jobs to Filipinos.
"We believe that Bio-Gab will potentially revolutionize the industry by providing a product that will minimize the carbon monoxide emission of burning fuel. We also wanted to give back to the community, at the same time by providing jobs in the country, especially in the local areas where poverty and pollution is rampant," Paco said.
Bio- gab is efficient and eco-friendly and it was tested and found out to be effective as other petroleum products commonly found in cars.
The students who invented the bio-gab are planning to secure a patent for their biofuel invention.
