Solubilization of Sugarcane Bagasse using Sodium carbonate Solution

India is the second largest sugarcane producer and generates substantial amount of sugarcane bagasse (SCB). Traditionally SCB is utilized for cogeneration by burning to fuel low pressure boilers. The surplus is further discarded or used for preparation of ecofriendly cutlery, the waste of which yet causing a disposal problem. Bioconversion of SCB into biogas or bioethanol will be a sustainable way of SCB waste management. Because of lignocellulosic nature of SCB, it should be pretreated prior to actual conversion, in order to increase the efficiency of the process. The present article studies the effect of sodium carbonate pretreatment on solubilization of vegetable waste. Waste solubilization is analyzed by estimating percentage of soluble COD and reducing sugar contents before and after pretreatments. The 8% sodium carbonate solution was found to show a positive effect on both COD solubilization and increase in reducing sugar content.