(Technology Innovations on Corn Development for Supporting Food and Energy Securities)

Wawan Hermawan1*, Roh Santoso2, Tjahja Muhandri3, Titi Candra Sunarti1

ABSTRAK

Pelbagai penelitian terdahulu telah menghasilkan desain mesin penanam dan pemupuk jagung bertenaga traktor tangan, teknologi proses pembuatan mi jagung, dan delignifikasi limbah tananam jagung (LTJ) menjadi glukosa dan xilosa untuk bahan etanol. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah (1) meningkatkan kinerja mesin penanam dan pemupuk jagung terintegrasi dengan tenaga gerak traktor berroda–2, (2) membuat model otomatisasi irigasi tanaman jagung menggunakan sumber energi surya, (3) mengoptimisasi proses pembuatan mi kering jagung, dan (4) mengkaji rekayasa proses delignifikasi LTJ untuk meningkatkan sifat penerimaan enzim pada proses sakarifikasinya. Mesin penanam dan pemupuk jagung telah dimodifikasi unit pemupuknya menggunakan metering device tipe edge–cell, dan kinerjanya meningkat dibandingkan prototipe sebelumnya. Sistem irigasi otomatis untuk budi daya jagung telah dirancang menggunakan 1 panel surya, 1 pompa air, baterai, inverter, dan controller serta pipa-pipa air. Debit pemompaan yang dihasilkan adalah 0,1 l/s dengan kedalaman sumur ± 10 m. Kondisi optimum proses pembuatan mi jagung dihasilkan dari kombinasi kadar air adonan 80%, suhu ekstruder 90 °C dan kecepatan screw ekstruder 75 rpm. Perlakuan pemanasan gelombang mikro pada beberapa level daya (50–100%) dan waktu kontak (1–3 menit) terbukti memengaruhi kerusakan dan pelarutan lignin, dibandingkan dengan perlakuan kimiawi dan hidrotermal, serta memperlihatkan penurunan kristalinitas serat.

Kata kunci: delignifikasi, irigasi otomatis, limbah jagung, mesin penanam, mi jagung

ABSTRACT

Recent researches resulted several innovations such as an integrated machine for planting and fertilizer application for corn cultivation, corn noodle production, and delignification process of corn stover. The objectives of this research were (1) to improve working performances of the first prototype of integrated machine for tillage, planting, and fertilizer application for corn cultivation, (2) to develop an automatic irrigation system using solar energy, (3) to optimize processing variables on corn noodle production, and (4) to explore the delignification process of corn stover to improve the enzymes susceptibility in saccharification process. The planting and fertilizer application machine for corn cultivation has been successfully modified and showed better working performance. An automatic irrigation system using solar energy for corn cultivation has been arranged using a solar panel, a water pump, a battery, and a controlling system. The pumping discharge from a 10 m depth of well was 0.1 l/s. The optimum processing condition was resulted from the combination of 80% dough’s moisture content, at 90 °C extruder temperature and 75 rpm screw speed. The microwave heating treatment could destruct and solubilize the lignin, as compared to chemical and hydrothermal processes, and reduced the fiber crystallinity.

Keywords: automatic irrigation, corn noodles, corn stover, delignification, planting machine