AU J.T. 9(2): 106-110 (Oct. 2005) The Production of Ethanol from Maize Cobs and Groundnut Shells U.G. Akpan, A.S. Kovo, M. Abdullahi, and J. J. Ijah* Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria Abstract The possibility of producing ethanol from biomass such as maize cobs and groundnut shells was investigated. Different concentrations of sulphuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) were used to determine the acid concentration that could produce an optimal yield of glucose. The results revealed that 4.5M H 2 SO 4 produced the optimal yield of glucose and ethanol. This acid concentration was then used for the study of temperature effects on yield of glucose. The results indicated that glucose yield increased with temperature within the experimental set-up. The maize cobs and groundnut shells were mixed at various ratios and pretreated to remove all extractives. The ratio of 3:1 of maize cobs to groundnut shells and at 4.5M acid gave a better glucose yield than those obtained from individual biomass. The ultimate product (glucose) was hydrolyzed and 8% ethanol was obtained within three hours. Keywords: Alcohol, glucose, biomass, hydrolysis, fermentation. Introduction The rapid growth of industries and technological advancement in the world call for development in the chemical sector. The production of industrial chemicals will enhance the economic progress of any nation. Ethanol, one of the important industrial chemicals, can be produced extensively from biomass such as maize cob and groundnut shell. The main constituents of this class of crop by-product are cellulose (Chang, et al. 1981) and hemicelluloses, making them lignocelluloses (Cowling 1976) that can be excellent energy sources. The practice of mechanized farming has led to extensive discharge of agricultural wastes that have had negative effects on the environment. The utilization of such wastes has been a source of concern to many researchers (Oyenuga 1959; Akpan 1999; Amosun 2000). Therefore, this work was designed to look into the possibility of converting some of such by- products into industrial chemicals of economic importance. Ethanol is one such chemical. It is * Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria used as a solvent for chemicals. Ethanol is used as an intermediate in the production of liquid detergents. It is also used in the manufacture of drugs, plastics, polishes, plasticizers, perfumes, cosmetics, rubbers, accelerators, and cellulose nitrate. It is further used as an anti-freeze. Ethanol produced from regenerable sources is an attractive petrochemical feedstock in petroleum for poor countries (Gordon, et al. 1979). The various uses of ethanol and the importance of ridding the environment of the harmful effects of these agricultural by- products (biomass) underscore the significance of this work. Ethanol is produced from palm wine by fermentation process (Harris 1963). Fermentation is one of the oldest processes known to man, and it is used in making a variety of products including foods, flavorings, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. Ethanol is made from a variety of products such as grain, molasses, fruit, cobs, and shell; its production, excluding that of beverages, has been declining since the 1930s because of the low cost (Othman 1981). In 1975, only 76×10 6 L of proof industrial ethanol were produced by fermentation compared to 7.95×10 6 L by synthesis. 106