Community Empowerment

Articles

Converting corncob waste into liquid smoke and biochar: A circular energy initiative in Naramben Village

Rolling Gasperzs , Marthina Mini , Helen Riupassa , Susi Marianingsih , Suyatno Suyatno , Hendry Y. Nanlohy

Published
April 20, 2026

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2026)
Pages 182-191

DOI

Open Access
Share

Abstract

Corncob waste in Naramben Village is traditionally underutilized and frequently subjected to open burning, leading to air pollution and localized environmental degradation. This program introduces simple pyrolysis technology to equip local residents with the practical skills needed to transform this agricultural waste into value-added commodities: liquid smoke and biochar. Executed through a participatory framework, the initiative combined strategic preparation, hands-on production workshops, and educational dissemination. The program drove a substantial shift in community renewable energy literacy, with participants successfully adopting liquid smoke as an organic pesticide and natural fish preservative. From a technical standpoint, utilizing a 50-liter drum-type pyrolyzer over a two-hour cycle consistently yielded 1.5 to 2 liters of liquid smoke and 5 kg of biochar per batch. Evaluations confirmed that the direct demonstration approach effectively fostered operational independence among the villagers. Ultimately, this localized waste-to-energy model mitigates open-burning pollution, unlocks new micro-economic avenues, and advances clean energy resilience.

Keywords

Corncob biomass; Pyrolysis; Liquid smoke; Biochar; Renewable energy

References

  1. Adla, S., Aravindakshan, A., Tyagi, A., Guntha, R., Ponce-Pacheco, M. A., Nagi, A., Pastore, P., & Pande, S. (2025). Participatory development of mobile agricultural advisory driven by behavioural determinants of adoption. Journal of Environmental Management, 374, 124140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124140
  2. Ainatzoglou, M., Tsiaras, E., Papadakis, V. G., Tampekis, S., & Coutelieris, F. A. (2025). Biochar production from olive tree prunings by using open flame pyrolysis. International Journal of Energy Sector Management, 19(5), 1131–1144. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJESM-10-2024-0057
  3. Alhamd, L., Rahajoe, J. S., Rumondang, A. L., Atikah, T. D., Pratama, B. A., Sundari, S., Sadili, A., Rahmawati, K., Handayani, D., & Mirmanto, E. (2025). Biomass and carbon sequestration in four sub-montane forest types: Insights from multiple-year monitoring data in Indonesia. Trees, Forests and People, 22, 101078. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TFP.2025.101078
  4. Anwar, D. I., Yuningsih, L. M., Arizal, N. L., & Nasution, F. K. (2025). Potensi Limbah Kulit Jagung Untuk Asap Cair Sebagai Pengawet Makanan Melalui Metode Pirolisis. Jurnal Inovasi Teknik Kimia, 10(1), 35–38. https://doi.org/10.31942/inteka.v10i1.12551
  5. Arlianti, L. (2018). Bioetanol Sebagai Sumber Green Energy Alternatif yang Potensial Di Indonesia. UNISTEK, 5(1), 16–22. https://doi.org/10.33592/unistek.v5i1.280
  6. Ermal, D. A. S., Legawati, L., Fithry, D. A., Rayendra, R., Jusnita, J., Zulfa, D. ., & Pratama, A. (2025). Sosialisasi Pemanfaatan Bonggol Jagung Menjadi Briket Arang Sebagai Sumber Energi. Jurnal Pengabdian UntukMu NegeRI, 9(2), 380–383. https://doi.org/10.37859/jpumri.v9i2.8962
  7. Evahelda, E., Anggraini, R. A., Rupiyana, R., Ariani, D., Okta, N. A., Wirani, W., Nuriyana, N., Andriliani, R., Novianti, S., Hasibuan, R. T., & Andiniyah, T. (2025). Sosialisasi Aplikasi Asap Cair Lisa (Liquid Smoke Agribisnis) Sebagai Pestisida Alami Dan Pengawet Pangan. Dharma Pengabdian Perguruan Tinggi (DEPATI), 5(1), 71–79. https://doi.org/10.33019/depati.v5i1.6242
  8. Gómez-Vásquez, R., Fernández-Ballesteros, E., & Camargo-Trillos, D. (2022). Biogenic nanoporous oxides recovery from by-products of bioenergy production: Rice husks and corncob biochars. Biomass and Bioenergy, 161(March), 106455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2022.106455
  9. Gunawan, S., Hasan, H., & Lubis, R. D. W. (2020). Pemanfaatan Adsorben dari Tongkol Jagung sebagai Karbon Aktif untuk Mengurangi Emisi Gas Buang Kendaraan Bermotor. Jurnal Rekayasa Material, Manufaktur Dan Energi, 3(1), 38–47. https://doi.org/10.30596/rmme.v3i1.4527
  10. Juwita, R., Manggara, A. B., Suharti, S., Aprilia, A. R., Al Farobi, R. N., Sari, D. L., Aini, N. I., & Anto, A. (2025). Corn cob innovation into janggel mushroom media and solid organic fertilizer in Gembongan Village. Community Empowerment, 10(9), 1848–1860. https://doi.org/10.31603/ce.14684
  11. Katiandagho, A. C., Jaya, A. H., & Adda, H. W. (2023). Pemanfaatan Limbah Tongkol Jagung Melalui Pembuatan Briket Sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Pendapatan Masyarakat Di Desa Sibalaya Selatan. Karunia: Jurnal Hasil Pengabdian Masyarakat Indonesia, 2(1), 138–145. https://doi.org/10.58192/karunia.v2i1.697
  12. Kishibayev, K., Dziejarski, B., Tokpayev, R., & Khavaza, T. (2026). Production of activated carbons from corn cobs waste by steam or H 3 PO 4 activation for effective CO 2 capture and industrial gas selectivity. 404(July 2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136266
  13. Manullang, E. V., Pieter, M. S. S., Lado, M. L. H., & Marianingsih, S. (2022). Training on the use of e-commerce to MSMEs in Kayo Batu Village, Jayapura City. Community Empowerment, 7(12), 2114–2119. https://doi.org/10.31603/ce.8032
  14. Maqsood, S., Navaf, M., Kumar, P., Yücetepe, A., Trang Thuy, N. N., Ozkan, G., Moreno, A., Capanoglu, E., Khalid, W., & Esatbeyoglu, T. (2025). Sustainable utilization of corn waste and their role toward the circular economy. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 23, 102165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102165
  15. Matavel, C. E., Hoffmann, H., Kaechele, H., Löhr, K., Bonatti, M., Kipkulei, H. K., Njoya, H. M., Massuque, J., Sieber, S., & Rybak, C. (2024). Does participatory research stimulate sustained adoption of energy technologies? Lessons from stove dissemination in Gurué district, rural Mozambique. Technology in Society, 79, 102722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102722
  16. Nanlohy, H. Y., Riupassa, H., Bao, B., & Marianingsih, S. (2023). Community empowerment through the utilization of coconut sap into bioethanol in Sabron Sari Village, Jayapura Regency. Community Empowerment, 8(7), 1086–1092. https://doi.org/10.31603/ce.9589
  17. Nanlohy, H. Y., Riupassa, H., Haurissa, J., Marianingsih, S., & Usman, S. (2022). Utilization of wood waste into briquettes as an alternative fuel substitute for kerosene in Skouw Yambe Village, Jayapura City. Community Empowerment, 7(10), 1677–1683. https://doi.org/10.31603/ce.7118
  18. Nanlohy, H. Y., Riupassa, H., & Setiyo, M. (2024). Characterizing of Nano Activated Bio-Carbon of Sago Waste as a Homogeneous Combustion Catalyst. Automotive Experiences, 7(1), 77–85. https://doi.org/10.31603/ae.10619
  19. Ouattara, H. A. A., Niamke, B. F., Ahoke, M. E. M. F., N’guessan, J. L. L., Yao, J., Amusant, N., & Dumarcay, S. (2024). Physicochemical characterization, chemical composition and antioxidant activities of pyroligneous acids from cocktails of wood and agricultural residues from Ivory Coast. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 181, 106629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2024.106629
  20. Raghavendra, N., Hublikar, L. V, Sowmyashree, A. S., Nandan, K. R., Tubaki, A. B., Madiwalar, S. S., & Pudakalkatti, S. M. (2025). Fabrication of agro–waste corn cob–derived adsorbent for effective removal of oxalic acid from water: Pollution reducing and energy saving strategy for the wastewater treatment. Next Materials, 8(June), 100844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2025.100844
  21. Rifdah, R., Herawati, N., & Dubron, F. (2018). Pembuatan Biobriket Dari Limbah Tongkol Jagung Pedagang Jagung Rebus Dan Rumah Tangga Sebagai Bahan Bakar Energi Terbarukan Dengan Proses Karbonisasi. Jurnal Distilasi, 2(2), 39. https://doi.org/10.32502/jd.v2i2.1202
  22. S, A. H., Hegde, A. K., Karanth, K. V., Amini, Y., & N, M. (2025). Comparative experimental evaluation of wood charcoal and cocopeat fillers in a pyramid-shaped solar still for enhanced desalination performance. International Journal of Thermofluids, 30, 101447. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJFT.2025.101447
  23. Samomssa, I., Domga, R., Pahimi, H., Lemougna, P. N., Samitna, A. A., & Chinje, U. (2024). The effect of corn cob, cotton shell and rice straw mixture during carbonization on charcoal yield using mixture design. Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, 101(12), 101498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jics.2024.101498
  24. Sosiati, H., Wahyono, T., Azhar, A. R., & Fatwaeni, Y. N. (2021). Pemanfaatan Limbah Tongkol Jagung untuk Makanan Ternak Bernutrisi. Community Empowerment, 6(4), 656–661. https://doi.org/10.31603/ce.4570
  25. Suyatno, Riupassa, H., Marianingsih, S., & Nanlohy, H. Y. (2023). Characteristics of SI engine fueled with BE50-Isooctane blends with different ignition timings. Heliyon, 9(1), e12922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12922
  26. Trismawati, & Nanlohy, H. Y. (2025). Atomic to macroscale analysis of combustion behavior in biofuel droplets with superhydrophobic silica dimethyl silylate. Results in Engineering, 27, 106536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.106536
  27. Wagh, M. S., S, S., Nath, P. C., Chakraborty, A., Amrit, R., Mishra, B., Mishra, A. K., & Mohanta, Y. K. (2024). Valorisation of agro-industrial wastes: Circular bioeconomy and biorefinery process – A sustainable symphony. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 183, 708–725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.01.055
  28. Yustari, D., & Kalsum, U. (2025). Pemanfaatan ampas tebu & tongkol jagung sebagai bahan bakar alternatif bioetanol melalui proses hidrolisis.
Article Metrics
12
Views
3
Downloads

SCITE

DIMENSIONS

Publication Information
Published April 20, 2026
Section Articles
Copyright Copyright (c) 2026 Rolling Gasperzs, Marthina Mini, Helen Riupassa, Susi Marianingsih, Suyatno Suyatno, Hendry Y. Nanlohy
License Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Keywords
  • Corncob biomass
  • Pyrolysis
  • Liquid smoke
  • Biochar
  • Renewable energy