Practical demonstrations of challenges and opportunities on first and second generation bioethanol production using tropical crops

Abstract

Modern society depends on non-renewable energy sources like petroleum hydrocarbons for transportationfuel. There is currently a great interest in developing new sources and processes for biofuels.Ethanol is a promising biofuel obtained from carbohydrate fermentation by baker’s yeast (Saccharomycescerevisiae). In this work, we present a set of teaching lab sessions where students preparefermentations and produce first (free sugars and starch) and second (cellulose) generation bioethanol.Several carbohydrate sources produced in the tropical regions of Mexico and the Americas weretested, for example, juice (pineapple, sugarcane, grape and apple), tuberous crops (cassava, potatoand sweet potato) and cellulose (sugarcane leaves and recycled paper). Sessions were developed assupervised research projects and students learnt and discussed the principles and challenges of ethanolbiofuel production.