Bio-Ethanol Production from Cassava Waste Peels using Acid Hydrolysis and Fermentation Process

In this research study, cassava peel waste was used as a sole carbon source for ethanol production using the process of fermentation and co-culture techniques. Production of bioethanol from cassava was examined using co-culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sulfuric acid with concentration of 2%, 6% and 10% was used to hydrolyze the substrates. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was further used to ferment the substrates at 350C for 48 hours. The fermented liquid was distilled at 780C and quantity of ethanol produced was determined. The findings proved that 10%H2SO4 acid pretreated sample resulted into maximum ethanol yield (37.5 g/ml), pH 4.5, sugar content (15.5%) and alcohol content (8.5%) after 2 days. This study further revealed that bioethanol can be produced from cassava peels with maximum yield obtained using 10%H2SO4 for hydrolysis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for fermentation. Keywords: Bioethanol; Cassava peels; Acid hydrolysis; Fermentation; Saccharomyces cerevisiae