Valorisation of Pineapple Peel Feedstock as a Source of Glucose for Bioethanol and Biochemical Production: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Insights into Cellulose Hydrolysis

The serious environmental and public health problems caused by the overconsumption of fossil fuels necessitate the development of sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Promising approaches to achieve these goals include bioethanol and biochemicals derived from plant biomass. However, their production requires efficient cellulose hydrolysis, which is the primary component of lignocellulosic waste. In this study, the potential of pineapple peel- a widely consumed fruit and a source of lignocellulosic waste- was evaluated as a feedstock for glucose production. Simultaneously, we addressed the issue of environmental litter generated by discarded pineapple peels. Cellulose was isolated from pineapple peel using thermogravimetric analysis, followed by hydrolysis with ۰.۵ M H۲SO۴ at different temperatures (۴۰-۸۰ °C) and times (۰-۳۰ min). Glucose yield was measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and the kinetics and thermodynamics of the hydrolysis reaction were modelled. The glucose yield increased with temperature, reaching ۷۲.۳ ± ۲.۱% at ۸۰ °C and ۳۰ min. The hydrolysis reaction followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic model with an activation energy of ۵.۴ ± ۰.۳ kJ/mol. The cellulose content of pineapple peel was ۳۰.۱ ± ۰.۵%. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility and potential of pineapple peel as a sustainable source of glucose for bioethanol and biochemical.

Keywords:

Glucose Production , Pineapple Peel , Cellulose Hydrolysis , Biomass , Valorization