Assessment Of The Bioethanol Potential Of Cactus (“Opuntia Ficus Indica”) From Madagascar

Abstract

The cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) is an invasive plant in arid areas. The realization of several researches on the physico-chemical properties of its cladodes and fruits encourages their valuation in a new source of energy. In addition, the Opuntia ficus indica is a medicinal plant but also could be a source of a new material such as plastic, leather, etc. In our study, we aim to assess the bioethanol potential of different parts of the Opuntia ficus indica from Madagascar. For this production, we used several processes such as reducing raw materials, grinding, gelling, fermentation and distillation. The results of this study bring us to say that we can obtain bioethanol from the Opuntia ficus indica: a 16° bioethanol from its cladodes and a 49° bioethanol from its fruits. Nevertheless, in order to be able to commercialize this product, improvements such as rectification are needed.