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Two-Stage Fungal Pre-Treatment for Improved Biogas Production from Sisal Leaf Decortication Residues

Summary

This research demonstrates an innovative way to convert sisal plant waste into useful biogas energy using beneficial fungi. The two-stage treatment process significantly improved biogas production from waste material that would otherwise be discarded. Impact on everyday life: – Provides a sustainable solution for agricultural waste management – Generates renewable energy from waste materials – Reduces environmental pollution from agricultural processing – Creates potential income opportunities for farming communities – Produces organic fertilizer as a beneficial by-product

Background

Sisal leaf decortication residue (SLDR) is a major agro-industrial waste in Tanzania, representing 98% of the sisal plant that is discarded during fiber production. With projected production of 100,000 tons of sisal fiber by 2010, this will generate approximately 2 million tons of SLDR waste annually. While this waste poses environmental challenges, it represents an untapped bioresource that could be converted into valuable products like biogas through anaerobic digestion.

Objective

To investigate the effect of a two-stage fungal pre-treatment approach using CCHT-1 and Trichoderma reesei fungi in succession on improving biogas production from sisal leaf decortication residues through anaerobic digestion.

Results

Pre-treatment with 10% CCHT-1 followed by 25% T. reesei achieved the highest methane yield of 0.292 ± 0.04 m3 CH4/kg volatile solids, representing a 101% increase compared to untreated SLDR. Reversing the succession order resulted in approximately 55% lower methane yields. The pre-treatment reduced lignin content by 16.5% and neutral detergent fiber by 22.5%, while increasing cellulose content by 21%.

Conclusion

The two-stage fungal pre-treatment significantly enhanced biogas production from SLDR, with CCHT-1 followed by T. reesei being the most effective succession. The improved methane yield was attributed to enhanced biodegradability through lignin reduction and disruption of cellulose crystalline structure. The process shows great potential for improving methane generation from SLDR, though further testing in continuously stirred tank reactors is needed before scaling up.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijms10114805
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