Thesis (M.Sc. (Biochemistry, Microbiology & Biotechnology)) - Rhodes University, 2009.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1922. / Vita.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Biochemistry, Microbiology & Biotechnology))--Rhodes University, 2004.

This work compares acid, alkaline and enzymatic hydrolysis of potato starch with simultaneous application of various pressures (0MPa, 0,3MPa and 1MPa). Acid hydrolysis was made by sulphuric acid of intensity 3, 6, 9 and 12 %, alkaline hydrolysis was made by sodium hydroxide of intensity 3, 6, 9 and 12 % and four enzymatic preparations for starch hydrolysis were used for enzymatic hydrolysis. Hydrolysis effect was measured via GE and added by alcohol yield. There was positive influence of increased pressure 0,3MPa and 1Mpa on hydrolysis process visible in this experiment.

A geração de energia a partir de biomassa lignocelulósica pode contribuir de maneira significativa com a ampliação do escopo energético, no que se refere ao uso de fontes alternativas voltadas à geração de combustíveis renováveis. Porém, a utilização destas fontes enfrenta ainda desafios relacionados à exploração de diferentes matérias-primas com potencial de utilização e o desenvolvimento de tecnologias de processos que garantam a viabilidade técnica e econômica da geração do etanol 2G. Neste estudo foi estimada a produção de etanol da biomassa aérea da batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) e da biomassa do capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach), cv. Roxo e cv. Napier após pré-tratamento ácido e básico, sob hidrólise de dois complexos enzimáticos comerciais (CTec2 e HTec2) e o extrato enzimático obtido a partir de fungo isolado de ninhos de Acromyrmex balzani. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos inteiramente casualizados e o arranjo dos tratamentos o Esquema Fatorial 3x3, em três repetições. Foi verificado, para a batata-doce, o rendimento estimado médio de 37,42 mL/Kg de MS hidrolisada com os complexos enzimáticos comerciais e que o capim-elefante, nesse experimento, confirmou seu potencial para ser utilizado na produção de energia renovável, pois apresentou o rendimento médio de 123,5 mL/Kg de MS hidrolisada nas mesmas condições da hidrólise da biomassa aérea da batata-doce. / Power generation from lignocellulosic biomass can contribute significantly to the energy scope expansion, with regard to the alternative sources use focused on the renewable fuels generation. However, the use of these sources still faces challenges related to different raw materials exploration with potential use and technologies processes development that ensure the technical and economic viability of generating 2G ethanol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ethanol production potential from aerial sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) (B) crop residues compared to elephantgrass materials (Pennisetum purpureum Schum), cultivar Roxo and cultivar Napier by the hydrolytic action of three enzyme solutions: two commercial enzymatic complexes (CTec2 e HTec2) and an enzyme extract obtained from filamentous fungi isolated from Acromyrmex balzani. The experimental design was the Factorial Scheme 3x3, in triplicate. It was checked on the sweet potato, the average yield of 37.42 mL/kg MS hydrolyzed with commercial enzymatic complexes and the elephantgrass, this experiment confirmed its potential to be used in the renewable energy production, as it presented average yield of 123.5 mL/kg MS hydrolyzed under the same conditions of biomass sweet potato hydrolysis.

Thesis (M.Eng.(Chemical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Academic dissertation)--University of Helsinki, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.