Page 299 - Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts

Effective utilization of sugarcane trash for energy production 267

chemicals (Yang et al., 2016; Nitayavardhana and Khanal, 2010). Naspolini et al. suc-
cessfully carried out the production of biosurfactant using vinasse as substrate. This
substrate was recovered as residue from submerged ethanol fermentation process
using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA1. By using the residues as substrates, it mini-
mizes the cost of substrates procurement in production process as well as it effec-
tively reduces the environmental impacts imposed during the vinasse disposal.
Vinnase contains rich quantity of carbon sources such as sucrose, ethanol, lactate,
puruvate, and vitamin D. Anaerobic digestion of these substrates with the action of
microbial fermentation process results in production of high-value lipids such as
omega-3 and carotenoids (Fernandes et al., 2017). Anaerobic digestion has advan-
tages in energy production process, especially it occupies high profile in production
of biogas due to its high chemical oxygen demand value and its operating conditions
(Santos et al., 2011) compared to the second generation of fuels. Assessment and
evaluation of these anaerobic digestion processes using vinasse lessen the effects of
global warming in terms of energy production (Moraes, 2014). Vinasse undergoes
anaerobic fermentation producing large amount of methane and carbon dioxide, and
their rich mineral content make them effectively applied as biofertilizers.

12.3 Other applications

Pressmud is a residual waste material obtained from the sugar factory during the
clarification process (Fig. 12.4). It contains valuable micronutrients (colloids, albu-
minoids, inorganic salts) that could be served as excellent compost for the plant
growth. Fly ash bagasse can be used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of
malachite green dye from aqueous solutions (Tahir et al., 2016). Researchers have
also examined the possibility of use of bagasse ash as a partial cement replacement
material in the construction industries (Tekle, 2011)(Fig. 12.3). The filter mud and
the vinasse produced from the alcohol industries have been used as a substitute in
fertigation procedures, which minimizes the environmental damage caused by the
mineral fertilizers (Prado et al., 2013). Similarly, the production of biofertilizers
can be obtained from the cane tops and leaves that are proved to contain high
manure content compared organic fertilizers. Cane trash has been efficiently used
for producing cardboard or wrapping paper. Spentwash, a liquid residue remaining
after fermentation and distillation processes, can be used to produce methane gas
by means of biomethanation, which reduces the acidic content in spentwash to
make it usable. Moreover, postmethanated spentwash finds use in agriculture as an
alternative to manure (Dotaniya et al., 2016). Cane lignin is identified to be a pre-
cious molecule in pharmacology as a carrier in delivery of drugs such as methro-
trexate, an antimetabolite used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (Vinardell and
Mitjans, 2017). Dried filter cakes of sugarcane along with dried stalks and tops are
a sensible fodder for cattle (Solomon, 2011). Sugarcane wax made from peels and
pressmud can be used as a replacement for carnauba wax that intakes high produc-
tion cost (Inarkar and Lele, 2012). Besides the cane wax also finds application in