Experimental investigation of gamma radiation use for pre-treatment of sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum spp.)

In the search for renewable and less polluting energy sources, biofuels derived from various biomass such as sugarcane, soybean, corn, etc., emerge as an alternative. Despite the remarkable productivity of the sugarcane industry, the generation of waste such as straw and bagasse is significant. Although these residues are largely used to generate energy in boilers, there is room to optimize and improve these processes by exploring more effective and valuable uses [1]. A crucial step is pre-treatment, which makes cellulose polysaccharides accessible for hydrolysis. This process involves breaking the crystalline structure of cellulose and separating it from lignin, being a vital stage in second-generation ethanol production. The main objective of this project is to study the changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of sugarcane bagasse subjected to different doses of gamma radiation as a pre-treatment method for biofuel production. (author)