Production of Bioethanol Using Neem Tree Leaves

Abstract

The study was aimed to investigate the potential of Neem tree leaves
(Azadirachta indica) for bioethanol production by using Aspergillus
niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as fermenting organisms. Neem leaves
were hydrolyzed using Aspergillus niger to determine reducing sugar content
using UV spectrophotometer. The hydrolyzed samples were then fermented
using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. After the fermentation, the broths were
distilled to obtain bioethanol. The result shows that neem leaves yield a high
amount of reducing sugar content, density, viscosity, the quantitative and
qualitative concentration at different temperatures (30, 35 and 40oC). This study
revealed that neem leaves possessed a significant amount reducing sugar
which can be used for the production of bioethanol.