Potential of Dioscorea (yam) Peel for Bioethanol Production Using Enzyme Hydrolysis

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and renewable energy sources has intensified the search for alternative biofuels. This study explores the potential of Dioscorea (yam) peel as a viable feedstock for bioethanol production through enzyme hydrolysis. Dioscorea peel, an agricultural waste, presents an underutilized resource rich in starch and cellulose, making it an attractive candidate for bioethanol production. The research focuses on carrying out enzyme hydrolysis process to maximize ethanol yield. The methodology involves pre-treating the Dioscorea peel to enhance enzyme accessibility, followed by hydrolysis using specific enzyme (cellulase). Various parameters, including enzyme concentration, temperature, pH, and hydrolysis duration, were systematically varied to determine their impact on the conversion efficiency. Results indicate that pre-treatment significantly improves the enzymatic breakdown of Dioscorea peel, resulting in higher sugar release and subsequent ethanol production. Optimal conditions achieved through this study provide a promising yield of bioethanol, demonstrating the feasibility of using Dioscorea peel as a cost-effective and eco-friendly feedstock. This research contributes to the advancement of bioethanol production technologies and highlights the potential of utilizing agricultural waste for sustainable energy solutions. Further studies are recommended to scale up the process and evaluate the economic viability in a commercial setting.