Saw dust to bioethanol: an alternative fuel for future

Abstract

Due to over use of traditional fossil fuels leading to its scarcity and the fast increasing price of petroleum together with environmental concerns, the search for alternative renewable fuels has attracted great attention in recent years. Lignocellulosic materials provide an alternative source for bioethanol production. These materials are cheap and easily available throughout the year as a waste material from agriculture and forestry. The present study includes the development of better saccharification method to liberate maximum fermentable sugars for effective ethanol production. Saccharification was carried out at different NaOH concentration (1%-10%) for different period of time. Similarly, enzymatic treatment by crude cellulose was given to NaOH treated saw dust after neutralizing the pH for different period of time. Liberated sugar was measured using 3, 5-dinitrosalicyclic acid. Treated broth was used as fermentation medium and fermentation was carried out for 96 h by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Highest saccharification was observed at 3% NaOH concentration and at 18 h enzymatic treatment. Ethanol estimation was carried out using iodometric method.