Reducing Sugars from Banana Peel

Abstract

The generation of lignocellulosic organic waste is associated with agricultural, industrial, and domestic activities due to the production, processing and consumption of fruits, representing an environmental concern as a result of improper disposal, which can lead to water and soil contamination, proliferation of microorganisms and the generation of unpleasant odors, among other effects. In response to this situation, alternative solutions have been sought to enable the utilization and transformation of organic waste into value-added products. One of the sustainable alternatives is the production of bioethanol through processes such as milling, hydrolysis and fermentation of lignocellulosic residues, followed by product distillation. It is important to note that the effective utilization of these residues depends on the availability and transformation of reducing sugars (RS) during the aforementioned processes, which should promote their obtaining and increasing. In order to contribute to the need for clean energy generation through the valorization of lignocellulosic residues, this study proposed the extraction and quantification of reducing sugars (RS) from banana peel (Musa spp.) through hot water hydrolysis and the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) colorimetric method, respectively. For experimental purposes, different temperature conditions (40 °C and 70 °C) and hydrolysis times (20, 40, and 60 min) were evaluated to determine the conditions that maximize the yield of reducing sugars. According to the results obtained, the highest concentration reached was 32.16 g of RS/100 g of dry residue at 70 °C and 20 minutes.