Preparing for Biofuels: Finding Alternative Sources for Cellulosic Ethanol (Year 2)

Overview

Objectives/Goals To validate that agricultural extraction process waste streams (such as that of the paprika oleoresin production process) contain extractable amounts of glucose for ethanol production in biofuels. Then the effect of varying cellobiase enzyme concentrations on the waste stream will be measured to quantify a hypothesized net gain in glucose for greater ethanol yield. Methods/Materials Materials: Bio-Rad Biofuel Enzyme Kit (cellobiase enzyme), Paprika Oleoresin Waste Stream (called Mud), 99.9% Anhydrous Glucose, Fehlings A and B Solutions (prepared), Standard Lab and Titration Equipment. Methods: Standardization experiment with 2% anhyd. glucose solution was used to reduce 10mL of Fehlings Solution via Lane and Eynon Titration. Results were used to calculate the grams of 100% glucose needed to reduce 10mL Fehlings. 5% Mud solution before enzyme hydrolysis was used to reduce 10mL of Fehlings. Results calculated percentage of glucose present in Mud before enzyme hydrolysis. 3 different concentrations of cellobiase(10,20,and 40mL) were reacted with 5% Mud Solution and then used to reduce 10 mL Fehlings. Results were used to quantify the hypothesized increase in glucose concentration due to presence of enzyme. Results Average titer value for 2% anhyd. Glucose test was 7.5mL and average amount of 100% glucose needed to reduce 10mL Fehling#s was calculated to be 0.150g. Average titer for 5% Mud prior to enzyme hydrolysis was 24.7mL and average glucose concentration by mass was 12.15%. Average titer for Mud reaction with 10mL enzyme solution was 18.4mL and average glucose concentration was 24.47%. Average titer for reaction with 20mL enzyme was 14.7mL and average glucose concentration was 30.61%. Average titer for reaction with 40mL enzyme was 13.9mL and average glucose concentration was 32.40%. Conclusions/Discussion Agricultural extraction process waste streams with similar compositions to that of the Paprika Oleoresin Waste Stream(Mud) can be utilized by the biofuel industry as potential sources for ethanol production due to their present glucose content. The addition of cellulases such as cellobiase can increases the yield of glucose present, thus increasing overall ethanol yield. Further experimentation regarding optimum levels (pH, temp, enzyme concentration) for maximum glucose yield is currently being conducted to further validate hypothesis.

Competition history

• CSEF 2013 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology · Entry S0516

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