Valorization of Agricultural Waste for Sustainable Bioethanol Production and Nitrogen-Rich Biofertilizer Generation

Sakshi Pawar; Bhumika Yadu; Ashish Dubey; Somya Sahu; Jai Godheja; Rakhi Bajpai*

doi:10.52228/NBW-JAAB.2026-8-1-3

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Valorization of Agricultural Waste for Sustainable Bioethanol Production and Nitrogen-Rich Biofertilizer Generation

Author(s): Sakshi Pawar¹, Bhumika Yadu², Ashish Dubey³, Somya Sahu⁴, Jai Godheja⁵, Rakhi Bajpai*⁶

Email(s): ¹sakship.2426@itmuniversity.org, ²bhumikay@itmuniversity.org, ³ashishkd.2426@itmuniversity.org, ⁴soumyasahu.2426@itmuniversity.org, ⁵jaig@itmuniversity.org, ⁶rakhib@itmuniversity.org

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Published In: Volume - 8, Issue - 1, Year - 2026

DOI: 10.52228/NBW-JAAB.2026-8-1-3

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ABSTRACT:
The transition toward a sustainable and carbon-neutral society is essential for long-term environmental sustainability. Agro-industrial residues such as sugarcane bagasse and rice straw represent abundant and renewable lignocellulosic resources with remarkable capacity for sustainable bioenergy production. In the present study, these remnant were subjected to acid (sulfuric acid) and alkaline (sodium hydroxide) pretreatments to diminish structural recalcitrance, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis to convert cellulose and hemicellulose into fermentable sugars. The resulting sugars were subsequently fermented under anaerobic conditions using Saccharomyces cerevisiae for bioethanol production. Fermentation experiments were carried out under controlled conditions (30–35 °C), and qualitative analytical assays confirmed ethanol formation in the fermented samples. Comparative observations indicated relatively improved fermentation activity in pretreated biomass, particularly in alkali-pretreated substrates. The utilization of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel generation offers an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, with enzymatic hydrolysis being particularly advantageous due to its efficiency in breaking down complex polymers into simpler compounds. Additionally, the residual biomass was used to produce nutrient-rich biofertilizer through the application of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Serial dilution levels ranging from 10¹ to 10⁶ were used for cyanobacterial cultivation and enrichment studies. Soil nitrogen content was evaluated in the treated samples, and a visible color change confirmed the presence and availability of nitrogen, indicating enhanced soil fertility and potential benefits for plant growth.

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Cite this article:
Sakshi Pawar, Bhumika Yadu, Ashish Dubey, Somya Sahu, Jai Godheja, Rakhi Bajpai (2026) Valorization of Agricultural Waste for Sustainable Bioethanol Production and Nitrogen-Rich Biofertilizer Generation. NewBioWorld A Journal of Alumni Association of Biotechnology, 8(1):36-45.DOI: https://doi.org/10.52228/NBW-JAAB.2026-8-1-3

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