Sustainable Production of Bioethanol from Bacillus Cereus SD38 Using Raw Banana Peel Waste

Abstract

Introduction: Increasing demand for renewable energy and sustainable waste management strategies has led to interest in agricultural residues as feedstock for bioethanol production. Banana peels, an abundant lignocellulosic waste, are rich in starch and represent a low-cost substrate for microbial bioconversion.

Objectives: The present study aimed to isolate amylase-producing microbes from soil samples and evaluate their potential to hydrolyze banana peel starch into fermentable sugars for subsequent bioethanol production using Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Methods: Soil samples from the Lucknow region were screened for amylase-producing microbes using starch agar (primary screening) and amylase assays (secondary screening). Hydrolysis efficiency of the isolates was tested on chopped, fine-chopped, and powdered raw banana peels. The most effective strain, SD38, was selected to convert banana peel starch into glucose. Fermentation was carried out with S. cerevisiae, and ethanol was extracted using a rotary evaporator. Ethanol confirmation was performed by Jones and Iodoform assays.

Results: Among the isolates, strain SD38 exhibited the highest amylase activity and efficiently hydrolyzed banana peel starch. Fermentation of the resulting glucose by S. cerevisiae yielded ethanol, which was successfully confirmed through chemical assays.

Conclusions: Strain SD38 demonstrated strong potential in converting banana peels into fermentable sugars and bioethanol. This study highlights banana peels as a promising renewable and low-cost feedstock for sustainable bioethanol production, contributing to waste valorization and providing an alternative disinfectant source.