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How is ethanol made from sugarcane and its by-products?
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Sugarcane
Field of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) in St. George Parish, Barbados.
Ethanol is produced from sugarcane through two primary pathways: direct processing of the plant and the conversion of industrial by-products.
Direct Ethanol Production
Sugarcane can be used directly to produce ethanol (ethyl alcohol). In this process, the cane is crushed to extract juice, which is then fermented to create alcohol. This method is a common practice in many sugar factories for both industrial use and the production of distilled spirits.12
By-product Utilization
- Molasses: This syrup, which remains after sugar crystals are separated from cane juice, is a traditional source for ethanol production through fermentation.23
- Bagasse: The fibrous residue left after juice extraction, known as bagasse, is used to manufacture cellulosic ethanol. Because bagasse is composed of cellulose and lignin, it must undergo pretreatment and hydrolysis using acids or enzymes to break the material into simple sugars. These sugars are then fermented and distilled to produce ethanol.41