Abstract:
Production and use of ethanol for fuel can reduce air pollution, and reduce global
warming. This research emphasizes on the plant biomass salt pretreatment and
breakdown for microbial fermentation for cellulosic ethanol production. Studies of
indigenous basic salt hydrolysis of two non-woody agricultural lignocelluloses; wheat
straw and gallants soldier has been determined. The hydrolysis study was done using
basic salts; ‘magadi’, ‘Lebek’ and ‘Para,’ salts. Trace metallic ionic composition, pH,
percent concentration of CO
3
2-
, and HCO
3
-
and the degree of hydrolysis data are
presented for the three salts found in Kenya and the complete randomized block
design was used in sampling. Salts were analyzed for metallic ions; K, Na, Ca, Mg,
Co, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, anions CO
3
2-
, HCO
3
-
, and pH values and structures
analysis was done. The following analytical instruments were used; AAS, Flame
Photometer, XRF, FTIR, UFLC, and a pH meter. Titrimetric method was employed
for CO
3
2-
and HCO
3
-
determinations. All were of recorded pH greater than 9.98
hence were alkaline. The FTIR charts of all the salts indicated presence of
bicarbonate group. The total carbonate levels recorded were; magadi (47.2%wt/wt),
para (113.9%wt/wt) and Lebek (11.8% wt/wt). The main metallic ion concentrations
recorded for the salts were; Magadi had Na
+
(71.52 mg/g), para had Ca
(52.56
mg/g), while Lebek had Ca
2+
(166.09 mg/g). Degree of salt hydrolysis of the
lignocellulose samples was greater than 20.94±0.01% with the highest being
44.99±0.03% with neat salts. There was a clear indication that bicarbonate group
play an important role in lignocellulose hydrolysis. Higher bicarbonate levels showed
higher percentage of hydrolysis. Para salt was found to be a better ligno-cellulosic
hydrolyser in oxidative media than the other salts tested. Wheat straw para salt
hydrolysis recorded total sugars of 30.12% wt/wt and ethanol of 64.07% vol./wt.
Gallants soldier para salt recorded slightly lower amounts, with sugars of
18.09%wt/wt and ethanol of 49.74%vol./wt.
2+
