Abstract

Acid hydrolysis and fungal biodegradation of pretreated sugarcane bagasse for bioethanol production

Author(s): Aboul-Fotouh E.Mourad, Momein ,El-Katatny, Kamal El-Shaieb

This study examines the prospect of biofuel production from high carbohydrate containing lignocellulosic material, e.g. sugarcane bagasse through chemical and biological means. The chemical composition of raw and pretreated SCB was determined. Hydrolysis of TSCB chemically by acids or enzymatically by fungi was performed to produce hydrolyzates for the fermentation process. Conversion of SCB to free sugars by acid hydrolysis varied from one treatment to another. Acid catalysis and fractionation of sugarcane bagasse to RS occurred at high temperature within short reaction times. High temperature in lower acid concentrations is favorable for TSCB hydrolysis, however, at lower temperatures RS production enhanced by increasing acid concentration. This treatment when neutralized, amended with some nutrients and inoculated with 2 % of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, achieved the highest ethanol concentration (1.145 % v/v) using H2SO4 as catalyst. The highest bioconversion of 5 % waste (63.425 % w/w) was recorded on TSCB by A. niger. Some relevant features limiting the overall treatment effectiveness were identified, paving way for future studies to significantly improve this process