Cluster Fig (Ficus racemosa Linn): A sustainable renewable source for Bioethanol Production by Fermentation

Abstract

Increased demand and remarkable rise in prices of petroleum products have resulted in the need to discover alternative energy resources to satisfy the energy demand of the world. Bioethanol has been recognized as the most used biofuel globally since it is known to contribute in the reduction in crude oil consumption and global environmental pollution. Bioethanol can be produced from feedstock such as starch, sucrose, lignocellulosic and algal biomass through the fermentation process by microbes. Hence, the main objective is to satisfy this requirement leading to the development of easier methods using inexpensive and eco-friendly raw materials for the bioethanol production. In the present investigations, production of bioethanol from Ficus racemosa L. (Cluster fig), using active Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) strain was examined. The organolepsis, miscibility, boiling point, pH, specific gravity, combustion test, tri-iodomethane test and the reducing sugar of Ficus racemosa fruits were determined. Parameters such as pH, temperature, fermentation period, yeast concentration and yeast supplements were optimized for ethanol production. Bioethanol was obtained by double distillation process after the fermentation reaction of fruits. The results show that the maximum rate of ethanol production through fermentation of Ficus racemosa fruit waste by Saccharomyces cerevisiae increases with the fermentation period and yeast concentration at 30°C in 120hrs.