Optimization of bioethanol production from simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of pineapple peels using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

In this study, bioethanol production from the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of pineapple peels using cellulase and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. A three-factor Box-behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to study the effect of broth pH (2-6), yeast loading (2- 10 g/l) and ammonium sulphate concentration (1-5 g/l) on the bioethanol production process. Optimum values of pH, yeast loading and ammonium sulphate concentration of 6.0, 8ml and 5g/l, respectively were obtained for maximum bioethanol concentration of 5.82%v/v. The results obtained show the possibility of using pineapple peels as feedstock for bioethanol production via SSF method. Moreover, the use of BBD and RSM as robust technique for determining the effect of parameters and optimum conditions for bioethanol production has been ascertained.

Keywords: Bioethanol; Box-behnken design; Fermentation; Optimization; Pineapple peels