Production of Bioethanol from Cassava, Yam, Sweet Potato, and Plantain Peels via Acid Pretreatment
Author(s):
Agbeyo O.A, Abdulmutalib M.Adazigu, Nwosu Chidima Modester
Journal:
Journal of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Technology
Abstract
In this study, acid pre-treatment was used for the production of bioethanol from agricultural wastes, notably cassava peels, yam peels, sweet potato peels, and plantain peels. Three acid concentrations, 1, 1.5, and 2% H2SO4, were used to see how they affected ethanol yield. The experimental procedure involved physical and acidic pretreatments, fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae via the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) method, and finally distilling the ethanol. Maximum yield of ethanol for cassava and sweet potato peels was about 13%, with density and pH values nearly standard. Generally, yam and plantain peels have given slightly lower concentrations of ethanol. It indicates the possibility of using such waste agricultural by-products for sustainable bioethanol production and handling waste disposal problems.
Keywords:
Bioethanl Production, Agricultural Waste, Acid Pretreatment, Ethanol Yield, Fermentation Process.