Edak Aniedi Uyoh
Title: Process optimization of bio-ethanol production from cassava peels using different microbial innoculants
Biography
Biography: Edak Aniedi Uyoh
Abstract
Cassava peel is one of the major biomass wastes in Nigeria, obtained from processing of cassava tuber for human consumption, starch production and industrial uses. A few reports are available of its potential in bio-ethanol production which is a promising alternative energy source for crude oil. In this study, an attempt was made to optimize the production of bio-ethanol using different microbial inoculum for the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cassava peels in three cassava varieties at an optimal pH of 5.0 and a temperature of 28 oC in 21 days. The cultures were distilled on the 7th, 14th and 21st days. The combinations of inoculum used were: A=Rhizopus nigricans+Saccharomyces cerevisae; B=Aspergillus niger+Saccharomyces cerevisae; C=Rhizopus nigricans+Aspergillus niger+Saccharomyces cerevisae; D=Rhizopus nigricans+Spirogyra africana+Saccharomyces cerevisae; E=Aspergillus niger+Spirogyra africana+Saccharomyces cerevisae and Control=Saccharomyces cerevisae. Results obtained showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the amount and concentration of ethanol produced among the five innoculants but no significant difference (P>0.05) among the three cassava varieties. Cassava peels from variety TME 4779 gave the highest amount of ethanol with a yield of 19.72 g/cm3 when pH of the culture was optimized using Rhizopus nigricans+Spirogyra africana+Saccharomyces cerevisae on the 7th day. It gave ethanol yield of 18 g/cm3 when pH of the culture was optimized on the 21st day but gave 13.33 g/cm3 when the pH of the culture conditions was left in its natural state. The lowest amount of ethanol yield obtained were 4.17 g/cm3, 5.28 g/cm3 and 6.66 g/cm3 from the cassava peels of TME 419, TME 0505 and TME 4779 respectively in an optimized condition using Saccharomyces cerevisae alone. The implications of these findings in optimizing production of bio-ethanol from cassava peels and the prospects for the petroleum industry are highlighted.