Volatile Compounds Obtained by the Hydrodistillation of Sugarcane Vinasse, a Residue from Ethanol Production

Abstract

Sugarcane vinasse is the main by-product from ethanol production industries. Generated in large quantities, it is composed by water, inorganic and organic compounds and is extensively used as fertiliser in agriculture, promoting improvements in soil quality and crop yield. However, it has high pollution potential, as the high concentration of organic matter can lead to contamination of the soil and water, in addition to the risk of leaching of the mineral components. In the current study, the volatile components of vinasse were obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus, then analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A waxy material was obtained, and the GC-MS analysis indicated that vinasse is rich in fatty acids, alcohols and esters. The major components were phenylethyl alcohol (22.28%), myristic acid (17.45%), palmitic acid (15.81%), ethyl palmitate (8.99%) and hexadecanol (6.06%).

Identification and Quantification of Volatile Compounds Found in Vinasses from Two Different Processes of Tequila Production

“…The identification of approximately 37% of the compounds in the present work is in agreement with previous work published with similar matrices, such as cooked agave juice, tequila beverage, and sugarcane vinasses [27][28][29][30]. This work focuses on the volatile compounds found in higher concentrations or with inhibitory potential for the biological process in the vinasse treatment.…”

“…Additionaly, Fagier et al [27] detected the presence of 2-phenyl ethanol in sugarcane vinasses. In other works, the presence of 2-phenylethanol, pentadecan-1-ol, and hexadecane-1-ol was identified in hydrolyzed sugarcane vinasse [28].…”

“…Likewise, Fagier et al [27] found palmitic acid methyl ester in vinasses from sugarcane distillation. Similarly, in hydrolyzed sugarcane vinasses, Lima et al [28] found ethyl myristate, ethyl palmitoleate, ethyl palmitate, 2-phenylethyl laurate, ethyl oleate, and ethyl stearate.…”

“…Also, Fagier et al [27] reported the presence of palmitic acid in sugarcane vinasses. Lima et al [28] identified lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids in hydrolyzed sugarcane vinasses.…”

Composición química de volátiles de hojas de caña de azúcar y pastos mediante cromatografía de gases

“…De la misma forma se utilizaron las hojas de dos pastos: zacate peludo (Rottboellia cochinchinensis) y pasto estrella africana (Cynodon nlemfuensis). La evaluación se realizó obteniendo extractos de hojas verdes de caña de azúcar en estado maduro de las variedades de caña de azúcar y de los pastos mencionados, mediante hidrodestilación utilizando una trampa Clevenger (Rodríguez-Álvarez et al, 2012;Lima et al, 2017).…”