Paper Contents
Abstract
ABSTRACTThis research work investigated the Optimization of the enzymatic hydrolysis of banana peels for bio-ethanol production. Aspergillus niger was isolated and identified from rotten cassava tubers and subsequently maintained on potato dextrose agar (PDA) slants. A crude enzyme was prepared from the isolated enzyme and used for the hydrolysis of banana peels. The characterization of banana peels was conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and proximate analysis. The yields of reducing sugar and ethanol from hydrolysis were optimized using Response Surface Method (RSM) via the Central Composite Design (CCD). The effects of incubation temperature on the ethanol yield from banana peels revealed that low temperature favoured ethanol yield, while high temperature and high pH are unfavourable for maximum ethanol production. The optimum condition for banana hydrolysis was observed to be temperature: 35 oC, pH: 5.5, and hydrolysis period: 5.7 (days)INTRODUCTIONEthanol has gained recognition as a potential fuel source due to the continuous rise in the price of conventional fossil fuels, the uncertainty of the availability of petroleum resources to meet the fuel needs of a growing population, and concerns about global climate change 7. Due to the abundant availability of agricultural residues and the renewable nature of these substrates, ethanol production from such substrates appears to have immense commercial potential. Use of ethanol as a partial replacement for gasoline because of its important characteristics, such as high octane number and the ability to burn clean, resulting in reduced CO emission, has been well documented 4 7.The economics of bioethanol production by fermentation is significantly influenced by the process and cost of raw materials, which account for more than half of the production cost 12 Feedstock flexibility is also important for the successful commercial ethanol production for its use as a biofuel 7. Different biofuels such as ethanol, methanol, bio-diesels, etc. are produced by fermentation of agricultural wastes, fruit wastes, municipal and industrial wastes through the process of enzymatic hydrolysis. This process of breaking down plant biomass (enzymatic hydrolysis), such as cellulose, into sugar, which is then converted into bioethanol, is a vital factor in the production process and thus determines the viability of the entire process. Amongst these biofuels so produced, ethanol has the greatest demand because of its desirable properties, such as clean burning, among others 16 1. Several metric Millions of biomass waste in the form of banana peels are deposited each year in Nigeria. These wastes from food processing industries, farm products spoils, and household-generated waste constitute a nuisance to the environment when not properly disposed 13. Utilization of these bio-wastes in the production of ethanol will help solve the problems of diversification, waste disposal, and energy needs.
Copyright
Copyright © 2025 Polycarp Ikechukwu Nwabuokei. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
