Analysis and Characterization of Lignocellulosic Biomass Extracted from Selected Agricultural Wastes

Abstract

Agricultural wastes are a viable source of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production. Precise biomass characterization is required to assess the new potential lignocellulose biosource. This study assesses the characterization and compositional analysis of three agricultural wastes (melon husk, moringa pod, and mango endocarp) obtained from Sheda Village, Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, Nigeria. Gravimetric method was used to assess the samples’ lignocellulose biomass composition and they were further characterized using FTIR. The findings indicated that hemicellulose content ranged from 19.38 to 27.74%, with melon husk having the highest concentration. The highest concentration of cellulose was found in the mango endocarp (45.84%). Melon husk possesses the highest lignin content (29.87%). FTIR spectroscopic examination revealed a broad spectrum around 3422.85 cm−1, which represented bonded -OH groups. A peak observed at around 1637 cm−1 is attributed to the stretching of C=C bonds in conjugated carboxylic acids. Peaks, obtained at 1205.72, 1204.50, and 1206.24 cm−1, reveal the vibrations of the aliphatic chains, ▬CH2- and ▬CH3, which constitute the fundamental structure of cellulose material. The findings demonstrate that the samples contain a sizable amount of lignocellulosic biomass. Therefore, wastes generated from agricultural wastes may be useful in the production of biofuel.