Evaluation of Corn Stover and Rice Bran as Potential Biomass for Biofuel Production

Abstract

This research explored the potential of corn stover and rice bran as suitable biomass for biofuel production through microbial investigation, proximate analysis and evaluation of mineral content using conventional techniques. The microbial investigation revealed twenty microorganisms in total. Generally, the most predominant bacteria found in both samples were from the genus Bacillus, followed by Paenibacillus. The predominant fungi were from the genus Aspergillus. The total bacterial and fungal count for corn stover was 4.56 x 10⁵ cfu/g and 2.55 x 10⁵ sfu/g, while it was 5.97 x 10⁵ cfu/g and 1.36 x 10⁵ sfu/g for rice bran. The results obtained from the proximate and mineral evaluation showed that both corn stover and rice bran had a low moisture content (6.06%, 5.47%) and ash content (5.23%, 5.18%) which can boost the efficiency of the fuel produced. Corn stover had a crude fibre of 38.09%, crude fat of 1.87%, and crude protein of 3.56% while rice bran had a crude fibre of 29.72%, crude fat of 1.21%, and crude protein of 3.25%. They both had high carbohydrate contents with corn stover having 51.44% and rice bran having 57.89% which can liberate suitable amounts of monomeric sugars for the production of biofuels. Both samples had a moderate mineral content and a comparative study showed that corn stover had a higher potassium (31.51%), phosphorus (23.26%) and magnesium content (14.87%) while rice bran had a higher calcium (32.24%) and iron content (5.79%). Due to their composition and nutritional content, corn stover and rice bran can serve as suitable subtrates and present an economically viable solution for the production of biofuels. Employing them as energy sources will not only eradicate wastes but also create wealth without affecting the food supply.

Keywords: Corn Stover, Rice Bran, Biomass Composition, Biofuel

DOI: 10.7176/JETP/12-2-01

Publication date: April 30^th 2022