Department of Process Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
Benjamin, Y., Department of Process Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; Cheng, H., Department of Process Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; Görgens, J.F., Department of Process Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
Lignocellulosic ethanol is a promising alternative to gasoline that can be produced by fermentation of sugars present in lignocellulosic biomass. Improved properties of energy crops and reduction of lignocellulose recalcitrance to biological conversion have the potential to reduce production costs. This study evaluated bagasse from 115 varieties of sugarcane for fermentable sugar yield. The purpose was to select the preferred varieties with fiber of high processability without compromising juice ethanol and cane yield. Dilute acid pretreatment was employed to improve the sugars yield from the bagasse. The results showed wide variations in structural carbohydrates (as monosaccharide) content (66.6-77.6% dry matter (DM)) and lignin content (14.4-23.1% DM) between varieties. Combined sugar yield obtained after pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis also varied significantly (27.3-55.2. g/100. g DM). Further, it was demonstrated that some of the varieties had combined characteristics of high cane productivity and combined sugar yield after pretreatment-hydrolysis of the bagasse. These results suggest the incorporation of selection of varieties, given its contribution for developing a cost-efficient pretreatment and saccharification process. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
Biological conversion; Classical breeding; Dilute acid pretreatment; Lignocellulosic biomass; Lignocellulosic ethanols; Pre-Treatment; Precision breeding; Sugar-cane bagasse; Enzymatic hydrolysis; Ethanol; Lignin; Saccharification; Sugar cane; Sugars; Bagasse; carbohydrate; cellulose; cost-benefit analysis; dilution; enzyme activity; ethanol; hydrolysis; sugar cane; Bagasse; Breeding; Enzymolysis; Ethanol; Lignins; Pretreatment; Sugar Cane