Journal of Fundamentals of Renewable Energy and Applications
Open Access
ISSN: 2090-4541
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2090-4541
+44 1300 500008
Santhosh Pillai, Arumugam N, Okuofu S and Singh S
Durban University of Technology, South Africa
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Fundam Renewable Energy Appl
Lignocellulosic biomass serves as a reservoir of sugars, which could be used as a potential source for alternative energy
and value-added products. Since, the lignocellulose is made up of a complex framework of various components,
utilizing it as a readily available material for value addition is a tough task. Usage of chemicals coupled with physical
or biological treatments provide a promising way of accessing lignocellulose. In this study, bambara biomass was
chosen as a raw material; comprehensive characterization of the biomass was performed to evaluate their potential
as a new lignocellulosic feedstock. Xylan, the major hemicellulose component of the biomass was chosen as the
source of interest and was extracted by alkaline method. The alkaline extraction of biomass reduced the damage
of polysaccharide chains, which could further be explored for desirable product synthesis. The extracted xylan was
characterized by NMR and monosaccharide analysis and confirmed as glucuronoxylan. The bambara xylan was
further subjected to hydrolysis by the enzyme
β-xylanase, yielding Xylooligosaccharides (XOS), with properties suited for use as a prebiotic. Further, a novel
prebiotic spread using Bambara and Amadumbe starch was prepared which contained XOS as the dietary fiber. The
new spread enriched with prebiotic offers consumers the benefit of having a healthy diet with improved dietary fiber.
E-mail: santhoshk@dut.ac.za