Enzymatic and Dilute Acid Hydrolyses of Maize Stalk Substrate in Bio-ethanol Production

Biofuels have been identified as suitable in combating climate change a result of green gas emissions from fossil fuels. Bioethanol is biofuel lignocellulosic biomass considered viable renewable energy alternative to However, the recalcitrance feedstocks due presence lignin, creates barrier glucose fermentation. This study compares enzymatic and dilute acid hydrolyses cellulose substrates obtained pretreated maize stalk. The were hydrolysed into using H2SO4, HCl Cellulase enzyme. was fermented an active yeast strain (Saccaromyces cerevisae) then distilled accordance with ASTM D1078 obtain bio-ethanol. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) used quantitative analyses bio-ethanol produced while qualitative tests done based on D7795-12 for physical (density, boiling point, miscibility, non-volatile residues, colour, flammability distillation range) chemical (Acidity, Alkalinity, Fusel oil, Readily carbonizable substances readily oxidizable substances). Enzymatic hydrolysis gave higher yield, there no significant difference between acids. There extraction efficiencies methods. has similar purity levels properties that industrial grade ethanol.