Abstract
The compositional changes of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) with respect to maturity (namely, 2, 4, 6, and 8months age), and its effect on anaerobic digestion was examined under three sieving regimes (6, 10, and 20mm). Significant changes in plant composition were observed with crop maturity. The highest methane yields of 219±4.9NmL/g VS added was found for biomass harvested at 2months old compared to 189±7.3, 131±4.7, and 104±2.3NmL of methane/g VS added, respectively, for 4, 6, and 8months old biomass. For all ages, feedstock passed through a 6mm sieve resulted in significantly higher methane yields compared to biomass passed through 10 and 20mm sieves. Additionally, 2months old biomass exhibited the highest digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose, whereas digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose were lowest for the biomass harvested at 8months of maturity.
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