Thesis Archive
Hydrolysis with Subcritical Water Pretreatment of Ulva Lactuca for Bioethanol Production using Zymomonas Mobilis
BAQUIRAN, Judy Ann D.
FERNANDEZ, Celrose L
GUINTO, Sofia Maan F.
Abstract:
Possible alternatives to fossil fuels are currently being researched and studied to meet the 10% mandated ethanol blend according to the Department of Energy. Among various and numerous potential biomass feedstock for the production of ethanol, macroalgal biomass is one of the most promising feedstock because of its high growth rate and sugar content. With this in mind, this study aims to obtain the highest sugar yield from subcritical water pretreatment and acid hydrolysis of macroalgal U. lactuca biomass for bioethanol fermentation using Z. mobilis. This study will be conducted using Box-Behnken Experimental design with the factors: subcritical water temperature (120, 140, and 160oC), acid concentration (1,3, and 5% v/v), and solid-to-solvent ratio (1:10,1:50, and 1:100). The response, on the other hand, will be the sugar yield. The subcritical water will be used to pretreat and depolymerized the biomass. After pretreating, the samples will undergo acid hydrolysis to release the contained sugar in the U. lactuca. Lastly, the hydrolysate with the highest sugar composition will proceed to fermentation using the fermenting organism, Z. mobilis. The analysis of the amount sugar released and individual sugar content will be made using Dinitrosalysilyc acid (DNS) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The analysis will be done during the start of the experiment where the biomass is in its solid form, after the subcritical water pretreatment where the biomass is in liquid form, and lastly after acid hydrolysis. DNS and HPLC will also be used to analyze the bioethanol produced.
Adviser:
MADRAZO, Cynthia F.