BIO-ETHANOL PRODUCTION FROM CASSAVA (MANIHOT ESCULENTA) WASTE PEELS USING ACID HYDROLYSIS AND FERMENTATION PROCESS

Abstract

In this research study, cassava peel waste was used as a sole carbon source for ethanol production using the process of fermentation and co-culture techniques. Production of Bio-ethanol from cassava peels was examined using co-culture of Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sulfuric acid solution with concentration of 2 %, 6 % and 10 %, was used to hydrolyze the substrates. Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were further used to ferment the substrates at 28 ^oC for 4 days. The fermented liquid was distilled at 78 ^oC and quantity of ethanol produced was determined. These findings proved that 10 % H₂SO₄ concentrated acid pretreated sample resulted into maximum ethanol yield (37.35 g/ml), pH 4.55, sugar content (15.5 %) and alcohol content (8.5 %)  after 4 days. This study further revealed that bio-ethanol can be produced from cassava peels with maximum yield obtained using 10 % H₂S0₄ acid for hydrolysis and Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for fermentation.