Pasupathi Saroja, Rahman Sameeha Syed Abdul, Karuppiah Sugumaran
Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory, Centre for Bioenergy, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, 613401, India.
Sci Rep. 2025 May 2;15(1):15448. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-99197-0.
Lignocellulosic biomass explores a sustainable and renewable energy source that could provide a suitable solution to energy demands. However, diversity is the main obstacle that hinders the biorefinery approach to bioethanol production. In this study, the non-edible feedstock, Sterculia foetida pod, green-colored skin (GSFP), and brown-colored skin (BSFP) were used as feedstock for the production of bioethanol. To examine the comprehensive characterization of selected biomass, namely BSFP and GSFP, the various methods, namely physicochemical analysis, proximate analysis, ultimate (CHNS) analysis, bulk density, and calorific value were employed. The functional group analysis, thermal stability, surface morphology, and crystallinity index for biomasses were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, Thermo-gravimetric (TGA) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and XRD analysis. The elemental and chemical composition of GSFP and BSFP were extensively evaluated using different methods. The value-added precursors, namely cellulose and lignin isolated from GSFP and BSFP. The cellulose content in GSFP and BSFP pods was found to be 35.28 ± 3.39% and 33.95 ± 4.49% and the lignin content was 17.37 ± 3.54% and 20.79 ± 8.78% respectively. The obtained cellulose from GSFP and BSFP was subjected to two-step acid hydrolysis on different SL ratio (1:10-5:10) to prepare fermentable sugars at different concentration (g/L). Based on the different sugar concentration, the bioethanol concentration (0.91 to 18.78 g/L; 0.23 to 12.23 g/L) and specific bioethanol yield (0.44 to 1.52 g/g; 0.13 to 1.55 g/g) increased for both BSFP and GSFP respectively.
木质纤维素生物质是一种可持续的可再生能源，可为能源需求提供合适的解决方案。然而，多样性是阻碍生物炼制法生产生物乙醇的主要障碍。在本研究中，不可食用原料苹婆果荚、绿色果皮（GSFP）和棕色果皮（BSFP）被用作生产生物乙醇的原料。为了研究选定生物质（即BSFP和GSFP）的综合特性，采用了多种方法，即物理化学分析、近似分析、元素（CHNS）分析、堆积密度和热值分析。通过傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）、热重（TGA）分析、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和X射线衍射（XRD）分析对生物质的官能团分析、热稳定性、表面形态和结晶度指数进行了表征。使用不同方法对GSFP和BSFP的元素和化学组成进行了广泛评估。从GSFP和BSFP中分离出增值前体纤维素和木质素。发现GSFP和BSFP荚中的纤维素含量分别为35.28±3.39%和33.95±4.49%，木质素含量分别为17.37±3.54%和20.79±8.78%。将从GSFP和BSFP中获得的纤维素在不同的固液比（1:10 - 5:10）下进行两步酸水解，以制备不同浓度（g/L）的可发酵糖。基于不同的糖浓度，BSFP和GSFP的生物乙醇浓度（0.91至18.78 g/L；0.23至12.23 g/L）和特定生物乙醇产率（0.44至1.52 g/g；0.13至1.55 g/g）分别增加。
