Production and characterization of fuel grade bio-ethanol from wild cassava starch.

Abstract

This project was based on fuel grade bioethanol production and characterization using wild cassava starch via SSF bioconversion approach. The driving force for fuel grade bioethanol production from nonedible starch sources has been the need to reduce the harmful emissions that result from the use of fossil fuels as well as over dependence on diminishing reserves of the fossil fuels The objective of the study was to produce and characterize fuel grade bioethanol from wild cassava starch. The stages for the production of bioethanol were; preparation of wild cassava flour, hydrolysis of the starch in the wild cassava flour using alpha amylases, SSF in a one liter conical flask using glucosidase enzyme for saccharification and 5% v/v yeast solution for fermentation and finally distillation of the mixture after fermentation to obtain the bioethanol as the distillate. During characterization, the parameters assessed were; physical appearance, pH, refractive index and flash point to be sure that the produced substance is a fuel grade bioethanol. It was found out the produced liquid was fuel grade bioethanol that had parameters similar and in range with those of ASTM E100 Standard for bioethanol fuel. The produced liquid was colorless, 7.6 pH refractive index of 1.3452 and a flash point of 14.2℃.