Enzyme hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation of dilute ammonia pretreated energy cane

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2011-03, Vol.102 (6), p.4444-4448
• Main Authors: Aita, G.A., Salvi, D.A., Walker, M.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonia; Ammonia - pharmacology; Ammonia pretreatment; Ashes; Bagasse; Biofuels - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Biotechnology; Biotechnology - methods; Cellulase - metabolism; Cellulose - metabolism; Cellulose fibers; Dilution; Energy cane; Ethanol; Ethanol - metabolism; Ethyl alcohol; Fermentation - drug effects; Fibers; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrolysis - drug effects; Lignocellulosic; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Microbial engineering. Fermentation and microbial culture technology; Saccharum - drug effects; Saccharum - metabolism
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.12.095

This study is the first one ever to report on the use of high fiber sugarcane (a.k.a. energy cane) bagasse as feedstock for the production of cellulosic ethanol. Energy cane bagasse was pretreated with ammonium hydroxide (28% v/v solution), and water at a ratio of 1:0.5:8 at 160 °C for 1 h under 0.9–1.1 MPa. Approximately, 55% lignin, 30% hemicellulose, 9% cellulose, and 6% other (e.g., ash, proteins) were removed during the process. The maximum glucan conversion of dilute ammonia treated energy cane bagasse by cellulases was 87% with an ethanol yield (glucose only) of 23 g ethanol/100 g dry biomass. The enzymatic digestibility was related to the removal of lignin and hemicellulose, perhaps due to increased surface area and porosity resulting in the deformation and swelling of exposed fibers as shown in the SEM pictures.