Energy potential of elephant grass broth as biomass for biogas production

Abstract The growing demand for clean energy has highlighted plant biomass as a valuable alternative, supporting sustainable development goals. Elephant grass (EG) is a promising feedstock due to its adaptability to diverse soils and climates, high dry matter production, and substantial energy yield...

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Main Authors: Guilherme Henrique da Silva, Natália dos Santos Renato, Felipe Ferreira Coelho, Thiago Paiva Donato, Alberto José Delgado dos Reis, Marcelo Henrique Otenio, Juarez Campolina Machado
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91938-5
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author Guilherme Henrique da Silva
Natália dos Santos Renato
Felipe Ferreira Coelho
Thiago Paiva Donato
Alberto José Delgado dos Reis
Marcelo Henrique Otenio
Juarez Campolina Machado
author_facet Guilherme Henrique da Silva
Natália dos Santos Renato
Felipe Ferreira Coelho
Thiago Paiva Donato
Alberto José Delgado dos Reis
Marcelo Henrique Otenio
Juarez Campolina Machado
author_sort Guilherme Henrique da Silva
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The growing demand for clean energy has highlighted plant biomass as a valuable alternative, supporting sustainable development goals. Elephant grass (EG) is a promising feedstock due to its adaptability to diverse soils and climates, high dry matter production, and substantial energy yield. This study aimed to evaluate and characterize six selected EG genotypes (BRS Capiaçu, T_23.1, T_23.2, T_41.2, T_47.1, and T_51.5) based on their broth productivity and energy yield. Analysis of the broth’s yield and physicochemical properties revealed that the by-product extracted from the biomass had a high residual energy value. Additionally, extracting the broth reduces the grass’s biomass moisture content, enhancing its calorific value and improving the bagasse quality for combustion in boilers, thus optimizing energy production. This study demonstrates that the promising EG genotypes T_47.1, T_41.2, and T_23.1 presented relevant energy values ranging from 4248.12 to 4304.06 kcal kg− 1 of bagasse and thus are suitable for energy production through direct combustion. The extracted broth is a valuable residual energy source that can be utilized industrially after anaerobic digestion. Future research should focus on the environmental and economic effectiveness of EG broth as an energy source from waste and its potential for biogas production.
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spelling doaj-art-746ecdd81dda4659b3fd4182f2b3bffd2025-08-20T02:56:21ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-91938-5Energy potential of elephant grass broth as biomass for biogas productionGuilherme Henrique da Silva0Natália dos Santos Renato1Felipe Ferreira Coelho2Thiago Paiva Donato3Alberto José Delgado dos Reis4Marcelo Henrique Otenio5Juarez Campolina Machado6Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of ViçosaDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of ViçosaDepartment of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Engineering College, Federal University of Juiz de ForaDepartment of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Engineering College, Federal University of Juiz de ForaNational Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG), Bioenergy and Biorefineries UnitEmbrapa Dairy Cattle, Brazilian Agricultural Research CorporationEmbrapa Dairy Cattle, Brazilian Agricultural Research CorporationAbstract The growing demand for clean energy has highlighted plant biomass as a valuable alternative, supporting sustainable development goals. Elephant grass (EG) is a promising feedstock due to its adaptability to diverse soils and climates, high dry matter production, and substantial energy yield. This study aimed to evaluate and characterize six selected EG genotypes (BRS Capiaçu, T_23.1, T_23.2, T_41.2, T_47.1, and T_51.5) based on their broth productivity and energy yield. Analysis of the broth’s yield and physicochemical properties revealed that the by-product extracted from the biomass had a high residual energy value. Additionally, extracting the broth reduces the grass’s biomass moisture content, enhancing its calorific value and improving the bagasse quality for combustion in boilers, thus optimizing energy production. This study demonstrates that the promising EG genotypes T_47.1, T_41.2, and T_23.1 presented relevant energy values ranging from 4248.12 to 4304.06 kcal kg− 1 of bagasse and thus are suitable for energy production through direct combustion. The extracted broth is a valuable residual energy source that can be utilized industrially after anaerobic digestion. Future research should focus on the environmental and economic effectiveness of EG broth as an energy source from waste and its potential for biogas production.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91938-5BioenergyCenchrus purpureusEnvironmental biotechnologyLignocellulosic biomassWaste-to-energy
spellingShingle Guilherme Henrique da Silva
Natália dos Santos Renato
Felipe Ferreira Coelho
Thiago Paiva Donato
Alberto José Delgado dos Reis
Marcelo Henrique Otenio
Juarez Campolina Machado
Energy potential of elephant grass broth as biomass for biogas production
Scientific Reports
Bioenergy
Cenchrus purpureus
Environmental biotechnology
Lignocellulosic biomass
Waste-to-energy
title Energy potential of elephant grass broth as biomass for biogas production
title_full Energy potential of elephant grass broth as biomass for biogas production
title_fullStr Energy potential of elephant grass broth as biomass for biogas production
title_full_unstemmed Energy potential of elephant grass broth as biomass for biogas production
title_short Energy potential of elephant grass broth as biomass for biogas production
title_sort energy potential of elephant grass broth as biomass for biogas production
topic Bioenergy
Cenchrus purpureus
Environmental biotechnology
Lignocellulosic biomass
Waste-to-energy
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91938-5
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