Solar Drying and Bioethanol Production From Agro-Industrial Banana (musa paradisiaca l.) Residues

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate biomass sources that may be potential for bioethanol production, as well as the impact of using solar energy for dehydration of raw materials in the process of preserving carbohydrates for alcoholic fermentation. As well as to evaluate the potential of banana waste for bioethanol production by solar drying and three different pretreatment methods: acid hydrolysis, sterilization and pasteurization. Theoretical Framework: Banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) residues, rich in fermentable sugars, present a valuable yet underutilized feedstock for this purpose. Method: In this study the banana residues were first dehydrated using solar dryers, followed by analysis of their sugar composition using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results and Discussion: The sugar analysis revealed significant levels of fructose (16.5 g/L) and glucose (15.01 g/L), key substrates for ethanol fermentation. Pretreatment methods were compared based on their effectiveness in enhancing bioethanol yields. Acid hydrolysis at pH 4.5 produced the highest bioethanol concentration of 55.18 g/L, demonstrating the effectiveness of acid treatment in breaking down complex sugars. Sterilization also yielded promising results, with a maximum ethanol production of 64.26 g/L at pH 5.0, showing consistency across different pH levels. Pasteurization, while less efficient, still produced 34.11 g/L of ethanol at pH 4.5, highlighting its potential in low-intensity processes. The solar drying process effectively reduced the moisture content of banana residues by up to 88.6%, maintaining the integrity of fermentable sugars. Research implications: The drying kinetics were influenced by solar irradiance, with faster moisture removal observed during peak sunlight hours. Originality/value: The study demonstrates that banana residues are a promising feedstock for bioethanol production, with acid hydrolysis and sterilization offering the best results in terms of bioethanol yield.