Bioethanol from Waste Biomass: A Sustainable Approach in Circular Economy

Bioethanol production has recently intensified due to its environment-friendliness, usability, greener output, and its applicability as an alternative solution for fossil fuel depletion. Because of uncontrollable carbon emissions, many researchers have recently focused on reprocessing waste to biofuel, adopting technologies in the circular economy. Waste biomass generated in larger quantities in agriculture and horticulture sector is freely dumped in open lands or poorly valorized without using these biomaterials in their maximum resource use efficiency. Thus, bioethanol production from agricultural and horticultural waste poses numerous advantages in the long run. This preliminary study focused on producing bioethanol using three plant species, Ricinus communis, Impatiens balsamina, and Lantana camara, which are fast-growing aggressive plants found on roadsides, abounded lands, and freely available as waste biomass. The biomass from selected plants was converted to bioethanol using the cheapest, locally applicable, zero waste, and most conventional fermentation method, yeast fermentation. According to obtained results, the bioethanol concentration of R. communis, Impatiens balsamina, and L. camara, respectively, was 7%, 10%, and 12%, showing that Lantana camara plant achieved the highest when compared to others. These findings demonstrate the potential of these plant species for bioethanol production, contributing to renewable energy generation and highlighting the viability of utilizing agricultural and horticultural waste for sustainable fuel production.