The Potential of Coconut Husk Utilization for Bioethanol Production

Abstract

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) husk, a lignocellulosic residue, contained 39.31% alphacellulose, 16.15% hemicellulose, 29.79% lignin and 28.48% extractives. In this study, the possibility of using coconut husk as a substrate for bioethanol production was investigated. The coconut husk was treated with 20, 25 and 30% sodium hydroxide solution at 100°C for 2-3 h under pressure to obtain the coconut husk cellulose for ethanol conversion. The commercial enzymes, Celluclast 1.5L and Novozyme 188, were used for cellulose hydrolysis, and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was used for ethanol fermentation. The simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) processes were compared for ethanol conversion efficiency. The results showed high ethanol productivity of the coconut husk cellulose from the SHF and SSF processes at 21.21 and 20.67% (based on pulp weight), respectively.