Insights on comprehensive characterization of distinct growth stages of Sterculia foetida pod as a potential feedstock for bioethanol production

Abstract Lignocellulosic biomass explores a sustainable and renewable energy source that could provide a suitable solution to energy demands. However, diversity is the main obstacle that hinders the biorefinery approach to bioethanol production. In this study, the non-edible feedstock, Sterculia foe...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Saroja Pasupathi, Sameeha Syed Abdul Rahman, Sugumaran Karuppiah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99197-0
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849314739944947712
author Saroja Pasupathi
Sameeha Syed Abdul Rahman
Sugumaran Karuppiah
author_facet Saroja Pasupathi
Sameeha Syed Abdul Rahman
Sugumaran Karuppiah
author_sort Saroja Pasupathi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Lignocellulosic biomass explores a sustainable and renewable energy source that could provide a suitable solution to energy demands. However, diversity is the main obstacle that hinders the biorefinery approach to bioethanol production. In this study, the non-edible feedstock, Sterculia foetida pod, green-colored skin (GSFP), and brown-colored skin (BSFP) were used as feedstock for the production of bioethanol. To examine the comprehensive characterization of selected biomass, namely BSFP and GSFP, the various methods, namely physicochemical analysis, proximate analysis, ultimate (CHNS) analysis, bulk density, and calorific value were employed. The functional group analysis, thermal stability, surface morphology, and crystallinity index for biomasses were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, Thermo-gravimetric (TGA) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and XRD analysis. The elemental and chemical composition of GSFP and BSFP were extensively evaluated using different methods. The value-added precursors, namely cellulose and lignin isolated from GSFP and BSFP. The cellulose content in GSFP and BSFP pods was found to be 35.28 ± 3.39% and 33.95 ± 4.49% and the lignin content was 17.37 ± 3.54% and 20.79 ± 8.78% respectively. The obtained cellulose from GSFP and BSFP was subjected to two-step acid hydrolysis on different SL ratio (1:10–5:10) to prepare fermentable sugars at different concentration (g/L). Based on the different sugar concentration, the bioethanol concentration (0.91 to 18.78 g/L; 0.23 to 12.23 g/L) and specific bioethanol yield (0.44 to 1.52 g/g; 0.13 to 1.55 g/g) increased for both BSFP and GSFP respectively.
format Article
id doaj-art-ef8d5e0f5864417fa537cd31ae32fb34
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-ef8d5e0f5864417fa537cd31ae32fb342025-08-20T03:52:20ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115112010.1038/s41598-025-99197-0Insights on comprehensive characterization of distinct growth stages of Sterculia foetida pod as a potential feedstock for bioethanol productionSaroja Pasupathi0Sameeha Syed Abdul Rahman1Sugumaran Karuppiah2Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory, Centre for Bioenergy, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be UniversityBioprocess Engineering Laboratory, Centre for Bioenergy, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be UniversityBioprocess Engineering Laboratory, Centre for Bioenergy, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be UniversityAbstract Lignocellulosic biomass explores a sustainable and renewable energy source that could provide a suitable solution to energy demands. However, diversity is the main obstacle that hinders the biorefinery approach to bioethanol production. In this study, the non-edible feedstock, Sterculia foetida pod, green-colored skin (GSFP), and brown-colored skin (BSFP) were used as feedstock for the production of bioethanol. To examine the comprehensive characterization of selected biomass, namely BSFP and GSFP, the various methods, namely physicochemical analysis, proximate analysis, ultimate (CHNS) analysis, bulk density, and calorific value were employed. The functional group analysis, thermal stability, surface morphology, and crystallinity index for biomasses were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, Thermo-gravimetric (TGA) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and XRD analysis. The elemental and chemical composition of GSFP and BSFP were extensively evaluated using different methods. The value-added precursors, namely cellulose and lignin isolated from GSFP and BSFP. The cellulose content in GSFP and BSFP pods was found to be 35.28 ± 3.39% and 33.95 ± 4.49% and the lignin content was 17.37 ± 3.54% and 20.79 ± 8.78% respectively. The obtained cellulose from GSFP and BSFP was subjected to two-step acid hydrolysis on different SL ratio (1:10–5:10) to prepare fermentable sugars at different concentration (g/L). Based on the different sugar concentration, the bioethanol concentration (0.91 to 18.78 g/L; 0.23 to 12.23 g/L) and specific bioethanol yield (0.44 to 1.52 g/g; 0.13 to 1.55 g/g) increased for both BSFP and GSFP respectively.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99197-0Sterculia foetidaCelluloseLigninHydrolysisBioethanol
spellingShingle Saroja Pasupathi
Sameeha Syed Abdul Rahman
Sugumaran Karuppiah
Insights on comprehensive characterization of distinct growth stages of Sterculia foetida pod as a potential feedstock for bioethanol production
Scientific Reports
Sterculia foetida
Cellulose
Lignin
Hydrolysis
Bioethanol
title Insights on comprehensive characterization of distinct growth stages of Sterculia foetida pod as a potential feedstock for bioethanol production
title_full Insights on comprehensive characterization of distinct growth stages of Sterculia foetida pod as a potential feedstock for bioethanol production
title_fullStr Insights on comprehensive characterization of distinct growth stages of Sterculia foetida pod as a potential feedstock for bioethanol production
title_full_unstemmed Insights on comprehensive characterization of distinct growth stages of Sterculia foetida pod as a potential feedstock for bioethanol production
title_short Insights on comprehensive characterization of distinct growth stages of Sterculia foetida pod as a potential feedstock for bioethanol production
title_sort insights on comprehensive characterization of distinct growth stages of sterculia foetida pod as a potential feedstock for bioethanol production
topic Sterculia foetida
Cellulose
Lignin
Hydrolysis
Bioethanol
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99197-0
work_keys_str_mv AT sarojapasupathi insightsoncomprehensivecharacterizationofdistinctgrowthstagesofsterculiafoetidapodasapotentialfeedstockforbioethanolproduction
AT sameehasyedabdulrahman insightsoncomprehensivecharacterizationofdistinctgrowthstagesofsterculiafoetidapodasapotentialfeedstockforbioethanolproduction
AT sugumarankaruppiah insightsoncomprehensivecharacterizationofdistinctgrowthstagesofsterculiafoetidapodasapotentialfeedstockforbioethanolproduction