Development of glucose biosensor as an analytical tool aiming the optimization of second-generation ethanol production from pineapple residues

Abstract

Bioethanol is a fuel derived from renewable energy sources. However, the main production processes use biomasses that are also used also as food. For this reason, new technologies are needed that use alternative sources as a raw material, such as the production of second-generation (2G) ethanol, which uses lignocellulosic biomass in its process. This biomass can be in the form of bagasse, straw, bark, in other words, products that are residues from the agricultural chain production. In addition, these residues can be plants that in some way cause problems (eg. weeds), like the water hyacinth that in a short time can cover water bodies, causing its eutrophication. An example of agricultural waste that may contribute toward is the pineapple residues. Is a vegetal biomass and contains in its structure cellulose that can be degraded into glucose and later used as substrate for the production of ethanol. However, during the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, glucose becomes a limiting factor, since its accumulation in the bioreactor causes inhibition in the cellulase enzyme, and this implies in a lower production of this hexose consequently a lower yield in ethanol production. Therefore, it is proposed the development of sensors associated with the electrochemical potential of graphene and the specificity of glucose enzyme for the monitoring and quantification of glucose in the 2G ethanol production process. (AU)