Comparative tracking of Turbinaria conoides and Gelidium elegans for enhanced bioethanol production

In this study, Turbinaria conoides and Gelidium elegans were evaluated for their potential in bioethanol production. The process involved breaking down the cellulose in these seaweeds into glucose, which was then fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce ethanol. The glucose and ethanol yields for T. conoides were 4.3 g kg(-1) and 2.8 g g(-1), respectively, while G. elegans demonstrated higher yields of 9.8 g kg(-1) and 5.2 g g(-1). To optimize the saccharification conditions, various operational factors including temperature, acid concentration, and incubation time were explored to maximize sugar detection. The optimal conditions for T. conoides were identified as 7.5% w/v H2SO4 at 140 degrees C for 45 min, achieving 41.8% dry weight (DW) sugar yield. In contrast, G. elegans achieved a higher sugar yield of 48.5% DW under conditions of 10% w/v H2SO4 at 140 degrees C for 60 min of incubation. Following saccharification, the biomass was subjected to hydrolysis and fermentation, with G. elegans yielding a maximum ethanol concentration of 14.13 gL(-1) in less than 60 h. To confirm the presence of bioethanol, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis was performed, identifying and quantifying the bioethanol compounds. Additionally, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy was employed to verify the structural composition of the bioethanol. The results of this research indicate that bioethanol production from seaweed, particularly G. elegans, is a feasible and promising alternative energy source. G. elegans showed especially favorable results in terms of yield and efficiency. As a renewable and carbon-neutral energy source, bioethanol from these seaweeds could play a pivotal role in future energy systems, contributing to global efforts in mitigating climate change and reducing fossil fuel dependence. This study opens new avenues for research and commercial bioethanol production from marine biomass, fostering a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy future.