Production of Ethanol From Sugarcane Bagasse (Gramineae Saccharum Officinarum L.)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Sugarcane bagasse (Gramineae Saccharum officinarum L.) are considered as solid waste materials which is not that much important and no longer necessarily needed in environment. This waste was used to produce ethanol and to lessen the amount of solid waste in our country. The aim of this study is to produce bioethanol from sugarcane bagasse using fermentation process and determine the physical and chemical properties of bioethanol yield.

METHODS

Cellulase was used to break down the cellulose in sugarcane bagasse. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), was used in the experiment for fermentation. Three samples were prepared with the same treatments to determine the physical and chemical properties of the crude extract. The study was done in De La Salle University of Dasmariñas with the supervision of Sir Gideon Legazpi. The physical and chemical properties was measured using different materials and apparatus. Density was measured using an analytical balance to convert milliliters into grams/milliliters. Volatility was measured by isolating the three treatments inside a fume hood for one hour then weighed using the analytical balance. Flammability was measured by adding different amount of the crude extract to the commercial ethanol and clocked the ignition.

RESULTS

The percentage yield of the ethanol is 1.5% that was computed using the formula, actual yield/ theoretical yield multiplied to 100%.

DISCUSSIONS

The result show that there is no significant difference of ethanol between commercialize and the harvested crude extract in terms of its physical and chemical properties. This indicates that there is a presence of ethanol of sugarcane bagasse.KEYWORDS:ethanol, sugarcane bagasse, physical and chemical properties, percentage yield.