I.P. Egharevba

This study investigates the optimization of biobutanol production from cassava bagasse through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using Clostridium acetobutylicum. Cassava bagasse, sourced from Uselu market, Benin City, was compositionally characterized, revealing 53.33% cellulose, 16.67% hemicellulose, and 3.00% lignin. Alkaline pretreatment using 2% NaOH at 121°C for 60 minutes effectively disrupted the lignocellulosic structure, as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy showing reduced lignin and enhanced cellulose accessibility. Response Surface Methodology based on Central Composite Design was employed to optimize three critical SSF parameters: pH (4.5-6.5), inoculum size (5-15% v/v), and temperature (30-40°C). The quadratic model developed demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy (R² = 0.9624, adjusted R² = 0.9286) with pH and inoculum size identified as the most significant factors. Parametric validation studies confirmed maximum butanol production of 15.13 g/L at pH 6.0 and 15.45 g/L at 13% v/v inoculum size. Kinetic models were successfully developed describing the relationships between process parameters and butanol concentration, with second-order polynomials achieving R² values exceeding 0.98. The final optimal conditions identified were pH 6.0, inoculum size 12% v/v, and temperature 36°C, yielding a predicted butanol concentration of 15.4 g/L. This research establishes cassava bagasse as a viable, sustainable feedstock for biobutanol production, offering environmental waste valorization, economic opportunities for cassava-processing regions, and contribution to Nigeria's renewable energy security. The developed optimization framework and kinetic models provide a foundation for industrial-scale implementation of lignocellulosic biobutanol production

This study investigates the optimization of biobutanol production from cassava bagasse through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using Clostridium acetobutylicum. Cassava bagasse, sourced from Uselu market, Benin City, was compositionally characterized, revealing 53.33% cellulose, 16.67% hemicellulose, and 3.00% lignin. Alkaline pretreatment using 2% NaOH at 121°C for 60 minutes effectively disrupted the lignocellulosic structure, as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy showing reduced lignin and enhanced cellulose accessibility. Response Surface Methodology based on Central Composite Design was employed to optimize three critical SSF parameters: pH (4.5-6.5), inoculum size (5-15% v/v), and temperature (30-40°C). The quadratic model developed demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy (R² = 0.9624, adjusted R² = 0.9286) with pH and inoculum size identified as the most significant factors. Parametric validation studies confirmed maximum butanol production of 15.13 g/L at pH 6.0 and 15.45 g/L at 13% v/v inoculum size. Kinetic models were successfully developed describing the relationships between process parameters and butanol concentration, with second-order polynomials achieving R² values exceeding 0.98. The final optimal conditions identified were pH 6.0, inoculum size 12% v/v, and temperature 36°C, yielding a predicted butanol concentration of 15.4 g/L. This research establishes cassava bagasse as a viable, sustainable feedstock for biobutanol production, offering environmental waste valorization, economic opportunities for cassava-processing regions, and contribution to Nigeria's renewable energy security. The developed optimization framework and kinetic models provide a foundation for industrial-scale implementation of lignocellulosic biobutanol production