Potential for biofuels from the biomass of prickly pear cladodes: Challenges for bioethanol and biogas production in dry areas. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santos, Taciana do Nascimento; Dutra, Emmanuel Damilano; Gomes do Prado, Adelson; Leite, Fernanda Cristina Bezerra; de Souza, Raquel de Fátima Rodrigues; dos Santos, Djalma Cordeiro; Moraes de Abreu, Cesar Augusto; Simões, Diogo Ardaillon; de Morais Jr, Marcos Antonio; Menezes, Rômulo Simões Cezar
• Is Part Of: Biomass and bioenergy. Volume 85(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 215
• Page End: 222
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Bioenergy -- Bioethanol -- Biogas -- Pectin -- Opuntia -- Nopalea; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Biomass -- Periodicals; Energy-Generating Resources -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; 333.9539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2015.12.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-9534

Abstract

Abstract: Prickly pear is a term used to refer to several species of cactus belonging primarily to the genus Opuntia . In general, these species present an exceptional ability to produce biomass in soil and climate conditions unfavorable for most plant species, in part due to their high water use efficiency. Given the current increase demand for renewable energy and the future prospect of more limited water resources, the potential use of prickly pear cladodes for biofuel production deserves to be investigated. The objectives of this study were to gather information on the chemical composition of prickly pear biomass from the most cultivated varieties in NE Brazil, discuss the potential of processing biomass for ethanol and biogas production and to point out gaps in know-how and priorities for research on this topic. We quantified in the tree varieties studied significant amounts of uronic acids (10.7%) and oxalic acid (10.3%), confirming the reports of high amounts of pectin and calcium oxalate in cladodes of prickly pear. The estimated potential of ethanol production for prickly pear (1490–1875 L ha −1 yr −1 ) was low when compared to traditional biomass sources (sugarcane and sugar beet, for example). However, it appears that prickly pear stands out as a biomass with potential for high production rates of methane (3717 m 3 ha −1 yr −1 ), being comparable to traditional energy crops. Further studies are needed to assess more consistently both the sustainability of biomass production as the potential for ethanol, and biogas production, specially for newly released varieties of prickly pear. Highlights: Prickly pear cladodes presented significant amounts of galactose and uronic acids. Compared to Opuntia, Nopalea had higher sugar content and lower lignin content. The potential of ethanol production from prickly pear was lower than other crops. However, prickly pear showed high potential for methane production. There is need for further studies with newly released varieties.