Thermochemical Pretreatment Method Followed by Enzyme Hydrolysis of Tobacco Stalks for Bioethanol Production

Abstract

Energy use from fossil fuels increases, causing an energy crisis, increasing greenhouse gases, and other environmental issues. In this study, obtaining renewable energy sources from biomass to replace fossil fuels is vital for future energy supply. Ethanol production from lignocellulosic materials was gain more attention recently. It is an interesting process and an alternative way countries with agricultural waste can be recycled as energy. To convert such waste biomass source into energy in ethanol needed to adjust cellulose conversion to different suitability. Therefore, to obtain the fermentable sugars for bioethanol production, the pretreatment process involved a vital role. In this experimental study, 4% of calcium oxide (CaO) was applied. Moreover, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) distinguished the characteristics of untreated and pretreated samples. In this study, the separated hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) method was used for bioethanol production. Total and reducing sugars yield confirmed that tobacco stalks are suitable feedstock for bioethanol production.