Ethanol production from potato peel waste (PPW).
Considerable concern is caused by the problem of potato peel waste (PPW) to potato industries in Europe. An integrated, environmentally-friendly solution is yet to be found and is currently undergoing investigation. Potato peel is a zero value waste produced by potato processing plants. However, bio-ethanol produced from potato wastes has a large potential market. If Federal Government regulations are adopted in light of the Kyoto agreement, the mandatory blending of bio-ethanol with traditional gasoline in amounts up to 10% will result in a demand for large quantities of bio-ethanol. PPW contain sufficient quantities of starch, cellulose, hemicellulose and fermentable sugars to warrant use as an ethanol feedstock. In the present study, a number of batches of PPW were hydrolyzed with various enzymes and/or acid, and fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisae var. bayanus to determine fermentability and ethanol production. Enzymatic hydrolysis with a combination of three enzymes, released 18.5 g L(-1) reducing sugar and produced 7.6 g L(-1) of ethanol after fermentation. The results demonstrate that PPW, a by-product of the potato industry features a high potential for ethanol production.
Arapoglou
D
D
Institute of Technology of Agricultural Products, National Agricultural Research Foundation, 1, Sof. Venizelou St., Lycovrissi, 14123 Athens, Greece. dimarap@yahoo.com
Varzakas
Th
T
Vlyssides
A
A
Israilides
C
C
D056804:Biofuels; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005060:Europe; D005285:Fermentation; D006868:Hydrolysis; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism*; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000378:metabolism*
D056804:Biofuels; D000431:Ethanol