Production of Lignocellulosic Biofuel by Agro-Industrial Waste

Beenish Sarfraz, Kiran Younas, Sumaira Mazhar*

Abstract

World energy consumption is increasing annually due to use of high energy consuming products and industrial revolution. World is facing dilemma of energy shortage, which signifies the need to shift from traditional energy generating procedures to modern cost effective and durable energy generating resources. Biofuels presents an excellent alternative to traditional energy resources by its use an environment friendly fuel. The present study aims to generate bioethanol using different lignocellulosic substances i.e. sugarcane bagasse, leaves of neem plants and different grasses respectively collected from local sources. Fermentation was carried out using different bacterial isolates also obtained from local environment. Each substrate was subjected to pretreatment by 5% and 2% sulphuric acid and stream heat treatment before initializing bioethanol production. pH and reducing sugar content of each sample was determined. Bacterial isolates were isolated from agricultural sites. Bacillus thuringiensis was isolated from the soil of agricultural field and E.coli was isolated from locally collected waste water. Bioethanol was separated using the process of freeze drying. Total content of bioethanol obtained from E.coli was 0.15% and 0.09% from Bacillus thuringiensis.