Study of Carbohydrate Hydrolysis From Arracacha Roots (Arracacia Xanthorriza Bancroft) to Produce Fermentable Sugars

Abstract

In Colombia, approximately 855 840 tons of arracacha are produced each year. The unsalable postharvest arracacha root (Arracacia xanthorriza Bancroft) is not commercialized, mainly due to mechanical damage or small and misshapen roots. In this work, dry samples were characterized and subjected to two treatments: one using thermal hydrolysis, applying saturated steam at pressures of 0,1034 MPa, 0,2068 MPa, and 0,4137 MPa; and another one using hydrolysis with sulfuric acid in concentrations between 0,252,00 M. Then, the cake resulting from the hydrolysis and filtration process was enzymatically hydrolyzed (Liquozyme SC DS, Novozymes) at 1,5, 5 and 10 KNU/g (pH 6, 80 _C, 2 h). Fermentation inhibitors (acetic acid and furfural) were evaluated in the best pretreatment. The results showed that the treatment with sulfuric acid at 1,00 M (2 h) has high yields in reducing sugars added to enzymatic hydrolysis. The maximum level of fermentable carbohydrates per gram of dry sample (1,04 g/g) was also reached. Regarding the fermentation inhibitors of the reducing sugar, a higher concentration of acetic acid was found with a lower furfural content. Therefore, arracacha discards are a promising raw material to increase the supply of bioethanol.