Bioconversion of Dragon Fruit Stem Waste into Bioethanol by Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Bioethanol represents a renewable energy source and a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. In this study, dragon fruit (Hylocereus sp.) stem waste was assessed as a lignocellulosic substrate for bioethanol production through enzymatic hydrolysis and yeast fermentation. Cellulose was hydrolyzed using cellulase derived from Trichoderma viride, and subsequent fermentation was conducted with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 96 hours. Bioethanol concentration, pH, and yeast growth were measured at 24-hour intervals. Results indicated a continuous increase in crude bioethanol concentration, reaching a maximum of 20% at 96 hours. The pH declined from 5 to 4, while yeast growth peaked at 72 hours and decreased at 96 hours. These results highlight the potential of dragon fruit stem waste as a sustainable substrate for bioethanol production.