Abstract
In the last decade, bioethanol has become a powerful biofuel for the improvement of environmental pollution such as reduction in greenhouse gas levels. Yet, the source and type of substrate material plays a crucial role in the bioethanol production process due to the different compositional characteristics and availability of monomeric sugars. Different substrates of first, second and third generation fuel sources exist and may be used as reliable and sustainable substrates for bioethanol generation. The current review provides an overview of Vitellaria fruit pulp; its composition and characteristics for ethanol production. This study has examined literature on the background of the Vitellaria paradoxa, the characteristics and the potential of the shea nut pulp for fermentation to bioethanol. This review will be useful in harnessing the potentials of the shea pulp as industrially relevant substrate for use independently or in combination with other substrates in microbial fermentation processes for ethanol production. Key words: Vitellaria, shea nut pulp, fermentation, composition, characterization, bioethanol.
Highlights
Bioethanol is a form of biofuel that has become a major source of bioenergy
Recent research findings suggest that S. cerevisiae is one of the widely studied and used yeasts at both industry and household levels with bioethanol generated as the main fermentation product (Tesfaw and Assefa, 2014)
The ordinary fermentation processes previously relied on the use of chemical pretreatments of the substrate under harsh conditions
Summary
Bioethanol is a form of biofuel that has become a major source of bioenergy. Bioethanol is reported as a fuel devoid of pollutants usually mixed with gasoline to run vehicles without modifications to the engine or its design (Doble and Kruthiventi, 2007). Bioethanol considered as liquid fuel is produced by fermentation - a process by which ethanol is made from sugars (Thomsen et al, 2003). This current assessment describes the biochemical, minerals, soluble sugars, amino acids and the general uses of the Vitellaria fruit pulp, the agronomy, production and the potential as feedstock for bioethanol production with a focus on enzyme-assisted and microbial aided fermentation processes.
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